the sixth of July 1189 and reigned nine Years nine Months dying in the 42 year of his Age being the 26 sole Monarch of England he was conttacted to Alice Daughter to Lewis the seventh King of France But falling passionately in love with Berengaria Daughter to Sanches the six King of Navar he married her in the way to the Holy Land whether she was accompanying her Father but had no Issue by her yet he left behind him Philip and Isabel his natural Children Thus the stout Lyons Heart to Death did yeild Whose dreadful Arms had strew'd the bloody field Of fruitful Palestine no Infidel Nor French nor Rebels could resist his Steel Victorious every where he did remain Cyprus he won yet by an Arrow slain The Reign and Actions of John King of England c. JOhn called by King Henry the Second his Father Lackland as being out of hopes of the Crown by reason so many Brothers were before him was notwithstanding Arthur his Eldest Brother Geofry's Son being alive crowned upon the Death of King Richard by Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury at Wesâ—minster through the instance of Queen Eleanor and most of the Nobles yet the French King promoted great troubles in England under pretence of Inthroaning the young Prince yet for great sum he connived at his being delivered into his Uncles hands so that upon new disturbances occasioned as well by the Clergy as Laity he was closely imprisoned The Poctovians rebelling the King prepared to quiet them but as well the Clergy as the Lay-peers denied him assistance of Men and Money or to wait on him in person yet with such a Power as he could raise with present Treasure he passed the Seas overthrew the Rebels took the young Prince who had escaped prisoner with divers Peers and two hundred French Knights reducing all the revolted Towns to their obedience so that Prince Arthur now kept under stricter restraint than ever died in prison as some will have it not without suspition of violence which caused much murmuring amongst the people and the French King laying hold of that opportunity cited King John as an Homager for the Dukedom of Normandy c. to appear at a set time to be tried by his Peers upon Articles of Murther and Treason but the King disdaining to obey the Summons he was pretendedly by the French King and his Peers disinherited and condemned in his absence so that by reason of the Intestine Troubles not being able to pass over with a sufficient Army to repel the insulting French men they seized upon many of his Towns and Castles some by force and others by treachery yet quieting matters somewhat better at home and getting a considerable sum of Money from the delinquent Barons and such as had been in Rebellion against him and having moreover a Subsidy granted him he prepared to pass the Seas when in the mean while the French King out of a bravado sent a Knight as his Champion to challenge to single Combate any of the Kings Subjects and in a mortal battle to justifie the proceedings of his Sender To match this Braggadocia John Curcy Earl of Ulster in Ireland who had some time before been brought prisoner into England upon a revolt of the Irish so that the King knowing him to be of a savage and untractable nature went in person to propose this honourable undertaking when looking on the King with a stern countenance enough to strike terror in the beholders he said In thy Quarrel I will neither draw Sword or fight a stroke but for the honour of the Realm of England I will shed my last drop of blood Hereupon the day was appointed and all things ordered to be in a readiness but in the mean while the Monsieur geting knowledge of the Earls Gigantick Stature and proportion of Limbs as likewise the great quantities of Provisions he daily devoured he thought it no boot to stay and thinking it was not safe to return into France he sneaked away and went for Spain so that Philip of France ashamed of the disgrace sent to excuse it yet new troubles as indeed this Kings Reign was a perpetual storm arising hâ— could not so soon get over Sea as he expected how ever upon his coming the French were terrified tâ— a degree of suing for peace and it was upon the relinquishing sundry places they had taken accordingly so that the two Kings appointing an interview anâ— the Irish Earl happening to be there the French Kinâ— was very desirous to see a tryal of his strength wheâ— placing a Steel Helmet upon a knotty trunk of Oaâ—â— the Irish man with a strong Sword that no body bâ— himself could weld after a dreadful sneer or two let fly with so full a charge that he cut not only the Helmet in two but entred his Sword so far into the wood that none but himself could pluck it out when being asked by King John 〈◊〉 he looked so furiously before he gave the blow his â—â—ply was That had he missed it he would have killed not only the two Kings but all the spectators The Truce that the French made with the English at this time served but to gain the greater advantage by rendring King John more supine in his Affairs for by degrees they encroached upon all Normandy geting even the City of Roan it self upon which Main Tourain Poctou revolted nor could King John hinder it having his hands full at home and when he was about to go for Normandy Habert Arch-bishop of Canterbury suspected to be a Pentioner of King Philip peremtorily forbid him to proceed in that voyage and the Earls and Barons a second time denyed their Aid insomuch that the King in a rage seized upon some of their Estates and grievously fined others nor was it a little gainful to him that Hubert the Arch-bishop dyed the same year whose large Treasure the King â—ook for the use of the Wars but now an obstacle â—rose The Monks of Canterbury chose one Reginald for their Arch-bishop who was Subprior of their Convent yet the King opposed it and presented John Grey Bishop of Norwich so that the Pope upon noâ—ice of what had happened rejected both and went â—bout to impose on them one Stephen d' Langton whom the Monks for fear of the Pope's high Curse wherewith they were threatned received as their Arch-bishop but the King knowing him to be one â—f the French Faction and that he would consequentâ— be prejudicial to his Affairs could not be brought 〈◊〉 hearken to it though the Pope sent him a present â—f Rings with some flattering Comments on them â—eclaring That the Right and Power over all Chiâ—â—â—â— as in the See of Rome But the King threatning if he desisted not from such pretentions in England he would stop all Monies that passed from hence to Rome and thereupon a hot contest by Letters happening between them the old blade in a pet Interdicted the Kingdom which the Bigottry of the times made the people think
he surrendred himself and was committed to the Tower and soon after he with the Earl of Southampton were convicted of High-Treason in endeavouring to Leavy War against the Queen c. and the Earl of Essex on the 20th of February 1600 lost his Head on the Green within the Tower not only lamented of the people whose Darling he was but of the Queen her self who at the perswasion of his Enemies had in the heat of her passion signed the Warrant for his Death divers others were Executed on this occasion as it were to bare so great a Man company nor did the Queen enjoy her self after the fall of this Favourite but hastened her own Death by grief dying on the 24th of March 1602 and was buried in Henry the Seventh's Chapell at Westminster when she had Reigned 44 Years 4 Months and 7 Days and in the 69th Year of her Age. This Elizabeth was Queen of England France and Ireland Daughter to Henry the Eighth by his Wife Ann Bulloin in her Reign happened Earthquakes Blazing Stars and a Mortal Plague of which 40000 dyed in and about London She was the 43th sole Monarch of England c. Thus set the Glory of her Sex in Dust Whose endless Memory Fame keeps in trust When Eating Time shall Marble Tombs deface Her Name shall live belov'd in every place The Life Reign and Actions of James the First King of Great Britain c. THe name of the Tudors expiring in Queen Elizabeth gave way to that of the Stuarts James the Sixth of Scotland great Grand-child to James the Fourth and Margaret his Wife Eldest Daughter to Henry the Seventh succeeding to the Crown by reason of the failure of Issue by the Male Line who upon notice of the Death of Queen Elizabeth being invited by the Nobles set forward from his Kingdom of Scotland and entering England was received on the Frontires with great joy and conducted to London being met some distance by the Mayor and Aldermen and five hundred Horse who conducted him to the Charter-House prepared for his Reception but because the Plague raged the Coronation was deferred and the Popish Party who had earnestly expected the death of the Queen in hopes a Papist might succeed finding themselves disappointed laboured to prevent his establishment in the Throne and several were detected who had received Orders from the Pope to seize his Person and bring him to their own terms however on the 21st of July 1603. The King together with the Queen his Royal Consort were crowned at Westminster by Dr. Whitgift Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the Conspirators being tryed at Winchester many were found guilty yet only Watson and Clark two Priests together with George Brook suffered death the King pardoning the rest mostly at the place of Execution and then in a dispute between the Bishops of the Church of England and the Puritan Ministers who pretended to a farther Reformation this wise Prince gave it for the first and by learned reasons so confuted the latter that they were utterly non-plussed and after that he caused the Holy Scripture to be new Translated from the Original and Anno 1604 he made peace with Spain and proceeded to a Uniting the Kingdoms of England and Scotland and took upon him the Stile of King of Great Britain banishing the Jesuites and Seminary Priests who began a fresh to disturb the Government which made them as their last Shift or rather cruel revenge contrived that hellish Plot called the Gunpowder-Plot wherein they bound themselves by Oaths and Sacraments for the more secretly carrying it on but nothing escapes the Eyes of the Almighty who when they were in the highest expectation of success turned their Wisedom into Foolishness for by a Letter directed to the Lord Monteagle whom one of the Conspirators was desirous to spare the Nest they had so long been making was found and in it thirty six Barrels of Powder intended to blow up the King Lords and Commons in Parliament this was discover'd under great heaps of Billets but the very Morning they were to assemble in Parliament and Guy Faux at the Vault Door under the Parliament-House Cloaked Booted and Spurr'd with a Dark-Lanthorn and Matches ready to lay the Train upon which the Conspirators were pursued and in the dispute John and Christopher Wright Thomas Piercy and Robert Catesby were slain and Anno 1605 on the 27th of January Sir Edward Digby Thomas Winter Robert Winter Ambrose Rookwood Thomas Bates Robert Keys and Guido Faux were found guilty and Executed as Traitors at the West-end of St. Pauls and in the Palace-Yard In memory of this signal Deliverance the fifth of November the Day on which it was discovered by Authority of Parliament was enacted a perpetual day of Thanksgiving Henry Garnet and divers others concerned in this Plot were Executed at sundry Times and Places Garnet confessing it though a Jesuite and warning the Roman Catholicks not to practice any Treason against their Prince for God would certainly discover and defeat it And soon after there happened Insurrections in the Shires of Liecester Warwick and Northampton about throwing open Inclosures Headed at last by John Reynolds but were dispersed and quieted without much Trouble and the King to honour the City entered himself a Brother of the Cloath-workers Company and by his Example many Nobles were made free of that and divers others the New Exchange was finished Anno 1609 and furnished with Wares being called by the King Britain's Burse The Priests and Jesuites were commanded to depart the Kingdom The Body of Mary Queen of Scots Mother to King James was Anno 1612 removed from Peterborough to the Royal Chappel at Westminster and there splendidly Interred and the Kingdom remained in great Tranquility But to abate the Joy Prince Henry the King 's eldest Son dyed November the 6th of a Feaver though not without some suspicion of Poyson to the great Grief of the Kingdom whose Darling he was And Frederick the Electour Palatine of the Rhine coming into England was married to the Lady Elizabeth the King 's eldest Daughter in the Royal Chappel at White-Hall on the 14th of February following but soon after at the Instance of the Bohemians taking upon him the Rule of that Kingdom he was routed by the Emperour's Forces who seized likewise the Palatinate and the King gave the Citizens of London the Province of Vlster in Ireland and instituted the Order of Baronets limiting them within the number of 200 and to cease with the failure of Issue and Anno 1614 the New River was brought to London to the great refreshment of the City which was much stinted for want of Water being only supplied by a few Conduits in the neighbouring Fields and this year a Divorce being sued out between Robert Devereux and his Countess on her Pretence of his Insufficiency she married Robert Carre Earl of Somerset and the King 's great Favourite for inveighing against which Marriage they procured Sir Thomas Overbury first
Exploits and waâ—… succeeded by Kenelem But this Prince was unfortunatâ—… in his Youth for having discovered some close Intreagues between his Tutor and Quindride his Sister the latter to prevent his reproofs caused the formeâ—… to Murther him when he had Reigned about threâ—… Months and Cleolwolf who succeeded him reigneâ—… but a year before he was Expulsed his Kingdom by his Subjects at the Instigation of Bernulf who therâ—… upon stepped into the Throne but being warred upon by the West Saxons and East Angles he was slaiâ—… in Battle the Third year of his Reign Anno 831 anâ—… Ludecan who succeeded him felt the like Fate iâ—… the Second year of his Reign from Egbert the Weâ—… Saxon in Conjunction with the East Angles Witlâ—… the next King of the Mercians was overcome â—… Egbert and forced to flee his Kingdom in the Thirâ—… year of his Reign And now the Danes began to peâ—… plex the Coast having an Eye to the Conquest â—… Britain so that they drove Berthulf who succeedeâ—… Wâ—…laf out of the Mercian Kingdom in the Thirteenth year of his Reign And although Brudreâ—… got the Possession of it Anno 852 yet they kept hiâ—… in continual Alarums and notwithstanding at fiâ—… he was Victorious over them yet they returning witâ—… greater Force he was forced to quit the Kingdom when he had reigned about Twenty years and wâ—… the last of the Saxon petty Monarchs in this Kingdoâ—… of Mercia Thus Kingdoms tost by fickle Fortune's hand Must Rise and Fall yet ne'er are at a stand Great things oppress themselves with their own weight And still must yeild to the Decrees of Fate An Account of the Kingdom of the East Angles with their Succession of Kings c. THis Kingdom so named from the Angles that claimed it for their Portion contained Suffolk Norfolk Cambridge and the Isle of Ely and took upon it the form of a Kingdom Anno 373 continuing â—53 years and had the Succession of Fifteen Kings of whom in their order Uffa was the first King of the East Angles who â—etled and founded the Kingdom but was in his beginning very much opposed by the British Princes He Reigned Seven years and gave place by Death to Titulus who Reigned a longer time for some Authors will have it that he held the Scepter of this Kingdom about 32 years Redwald succeeded him â—nd altho upon his coming to the Throne he was a Christian he turned Idolater he assisted Edwin to gain the Crown of Northumberland by slaying Ethelâ—ride in Battle and reigned over the Angles 8 years Expenwald succeeded him This King professed Chriâ—tianity and not being well setled in his Kingdom â—ne Richebert conspired against him and slew him when he had reigned Twelve years And Sigebert succeeded him being a younger Son of Redwald but being given up to a devout Life he after two years Reign resigned his Kingdom and turned Monk But that place could not secure his Life for he was â—lain by Penda Egrick upon the resignation took up the Scepter yet he reigned but four years before Penda overcome his Country and slew him in Battle Anna succeeded him but after a Twelve years Reignâ—… Penda who was a mortal Enemy to the Angles camâ—… again overcome and slew him Upon the unfortunate falls of these last Kings Eâ—…theibert got into the Throne as a favourite of Penda's but he had not reigned about Two years when Oâ—…win King of the Northcumbers slew him in Battle foâ—… taking part with Penda against him And Edelwaâ—… succeeded in the Throne yet he reigned only Eighâ—… yearâ—… before he gave place to Alduâ—… who reigneâ—… Nineteen years and then Eâ—…swoâ—f succeeded in a Reigâ—… of Seven years Beorn reigned after him Twenty foâ—… years and then gave place to Ethelred who reigneâ—… Thirty five yearâ—… yet there is nothing memorably recorded of their Actions And now these petty Kingdoms growing to a period Etheâ—…bert began his Reignâ—… but having displeased the bloody Quindride Wife tâ—… Offa King of the Mercians she prevailed with heâ—… Husband to send for him under pretence of givinâ—… him one of his Daughters in Marriage but having got him in her power she caused him to be put tâ—… death when he had reigned Forty five years anâ—… was succeeded by Edmund in whose time the Danes camâ—… over in great numbers burning and destroying before them insomuch that the King was obliged to shuâ—… himself up in Framingham Castle and after a lonâ—… Seige surrendred it But the Pagan Danes not regarding their Faith having stripped the poor King finâ—… beat him with Câ—dgels then scourged him and afteâ—… that tying him to a Stake shot him to death with Arrows whilst with much Patience and Devotion he suffered the usage calling upon the name of Jesuâ—… and recommending his Soul to his Redeemer thâ—… years of his Reign are doubtfully mention'd however he began to Reign over the East Angles Anâ—… 794 he was afterwards cannonized a Saint and thâ—… Town of St. Edmunds-bury still remains in remembrance of him Thus you the Saxon Hepterchie may view How first it rise and to a period drew To rise more glorious in what does eusâ—e The Saxon Government under sole Monarchs with the Succession if Kings their Reigns and Actions THe Hepterchie of the Saxons appearing very troublesome in their continual Wars amongst themselves and those of the Danes and British Princes who still held out the chief of the last that â—…pposed them during their petty Kingdoms were â—…ortimer Son of Vortinger who reigned Four years Aurelius Ambrosius who reigned Thirty two years â—…ter Pendragon his Brother who reigned Eighteen â—…ears Arthure of whom the Monks have created so â—…any Fables that the truth of his Actions are doubtful who reigned Twenty six years Constantine Son â—…f Cador Duke of Cornwal and Cousin to Arthur who â—…eigned Three years Aurelius Conatus who reigned Thirty three years Vortiporus who reigned Three â—…ears Malgo Cononus who reigned Five years Careâ—…cus who reigned Three years Cadwan who reigned Twenty two years Gadwallo his Son who reigned forty eight years and Cadwallader who reigned â—…leven years These were the Chief of the British Princes who opposed the Saxons and held â—…eir Kingdom for the most part in Wales and the Marches giving them at sundry times many notable â—…verthrows disputing their Country with the Invaâ—…ers till their Power was wasted and the remainder of â—…heir People compelled to betake themselves to the Mountains and Fastnesses Egberts's Fortune prevailâ—…ng he united the seven Kingdoms into one and beâ—…ame the first sole Saxon Monarch causing himself to â—…e crowned at Winchesier giving the whole Country the Name of England and the People the Epethitâ—… of English In the Fourteen year of his Reign thâ—… Danes with thirty three Ships landed in England tâ—… whom he gave battle with such Forces as on the sudden could be raised but was worsted loosing two Dukes two Bishops and most of the Common Soldiers he hardly escaping the Field yet afterwards thâ—… Danes were
business inviting many of the Nobles that he thought disaffected to the King he made them Prisoners in his Palace and by that means constrained them to render their Castles as Ransoms for their Persons which much weakened the Interest of the Empress yet Earl Robert burnt Worcester for holding out against her and the like did Ralph Painel one of her Captains to Nottingham The Empress finding her Measures broken by the crafty Bishop of Winchester hasted to Lincoln but the King followed close and besiged that City and took it yet she made her escape so that new Measures being taken her Forces daily increased insomuch that becoming strong in the Field Robert Earl of Glocester and Ralph Earl of Chester gave the King battle near Lincoln which was maintained with great obstinacy and effusion of blood Victory seeming to incline to neither party till such time as the Kings Horse gave way thought to have been done by treachery however the Foot stood manfully to it but being overcharged and trampled down for want of their Horse to cover them they fled likewise leaving the King who chose rather to die than give back to fight the Battle when with a very weighty Battle-Ax like an inraged Lyon he drove whole squadrons before him killing a great number for wherever he struck the blow proved mortal but in the fury of the Fight having broken his Battle-Ax and after that his Sword he was beaten down with a Massiestone thrown at him and by that means brought under and taken Prisoner King Stephen thus made a Prisoner was carried to Glocester where the Empress expected him and from thence sent Prisoner to Bristol whereupon all but the County of Kent acknowledged her as their Soveraign so that going to Winchester in state she there received the Regal Crown and passing to London she was met with Procession and the Acclamations of the people but the Earl of Glocester Brother to the Empress being taken by some of the Nobles that sided with King Stephen and Imprisoned at Glocester searing if any violent Death befel the King he should run the same Risque he so far solicited the matter that an exchange was made and both the one and the other had Liberty after which the Earl went for Normandy which had revolted from Stephen to raise Forces to secure what was gained but whilst this was doing the Londoners being displeased as not receiving the satisfaction they expected and the Nobles thinking themselves slighted by her the restless Bishop of Winchester set the Nation again into a Blaze of dissention making a strong Party for King Stephen besieging the Empress in the Castle of Winchēster seven weeks and then the better to work his advantage feigning a Peace and causing it to be proclaimed set open the City Gates but she and her followers almost starved out with Famine were scarce departed when he caused them to be pursued in which pursuit many were slain and taken Prisoners and amongst them Earl Robert who by this time was returned with a slender Train and others taking Sanctuary in the Nunnery of Worwell were burnt together with the House nor did the Bishop spare Winchester but fired it for taking part with the Empress The Empress escaping this Storm betook her self to the Castle of the Devizes in Wiltshire but being closely pressed by the prevailing party and out of all hopes of relief she contrived a Stratagem to prevent her falling into their hands viz. Inclosing her self in a Coffin and making it known to a few of her Trusty Friends under pretence it was the dead Body of a Person whom the Besiegers knew to be dead in that place procuring a pass for the burial of it with its Ancestors She was in a Horse-litter carried to Glocester and there joyfully received by those of their Party But finding it not safe to continue there she hasted to Oxford where being straightly Besieged by the King in the depth of Winter and the Suburbs gain'd she found her self in no capacity longer to defend the place but taking the advantage of a Snow that had fallen she put on white Garments and by that means in the dusk of the Evening passed alone undiscovered to Abington on Foot and from thence to Wallingford on Horseback the same Night so sweet is a Crown that no Difficulties or Dangers are thought too much to attain it It was indeed strugled for with various success causing a great deal of blood shed as the Partys prevailed with Burnings and Devastations However that he might assure the Succession of his Son Eustuce he called a Council at London commanded Theobald Arch-bishop of Canterbury to Anoint him King but having received the Pope's Mandate to the contrary he refused it for which he was obliged to leave the Land and flie to Normandy yet the King for this refusal seized upon his Possessions But shortly after Prince Eustace dying the King became more inclinable to an agreement with the Empress The death of this Prince is by some Historians thus reported viz. Having set fire to the Corn Fields belonging to the Abby of Bury because the Monks refused to supply him with a sum of Money for his present occasion after that at his first sitting down to Dinner upon the first bit of Bread he touched he fell distracted and died in that fit but this seems a Fable of the Monks to terrifie people from medling with their Diana or the abundance of Treasure they in those days of Ignorance scraped to themselves even from those that had far greater need However the Kings hope dying in this Prince he was content to adopt Henry by some called Fitz Empress though indeed Plantaginet for his Son and Successor to whom at Oxford in the great Assembly held there for that purpose the Peers did Homage as to the undoubted Heir and the Prince acknowledged the King as his Father and after whom he was to Reign nor did Stephen live long when this was done for being afflicted with the Illiack pasio and the Haemorhoids worn out with Labour and continual toil left the Crown which he had worn with so much trouble and variety of Fortune to young Henry dying at Dover Anno 1134 and was Buried at Feversham in Kent though afterward his Body only for the value of the Lead that inclosed it was cast into the River by the covetous Sexton This Stephen was King of England and Duke of Normandy third Son to Stephen Earl of Blois by his Wife Adilicia or Alice Daughter to William the Conqueror he began his Reign the second of December Anno 1135 and Reigned Eighteen Years Ten Months and 20 Days and had Issue by Maud or Matilda his Wife Daughter of Eustace Earl of Bulloigne Brother of Godfry and Baldwin Kings of Jerusalem Baldwin Eustace William Maud and Mary he had likewise two Natural Sons Gervas the younger he made Abbot of Westminster Thus in a Tempest liv'd the Warlike King Small rest he found till death the calm did
be afraid is good This passage in Mortimer's Letter being written without stops and the Keeper well-knowing that aspiring Lord had no kindness for the King took it as the Writer truly meant though Mortimer upon his being Accused alledged his Command was not to kill the King but that he sent word it was good to be afraid to doe it Young King Edward upon the inhumane Murther of his Father was on the Borders of Scotland and had environed the Scots in the Woods of Wividale and Stanhope but Mortimer desirous to eclipse the Glory of that young Prince that his own might appear so carried the Matter that through the carelessness of the English Army they escaped so that the King after a vast Expence of Treasure and the hazard of his Life which had been lost had not his Chaplain stepped between him and Death receiving the mortal Wound in his own Body returned inglorious And soon after Joan the King's Sister was married to David Bruce whom the Scots had made their King whereupon a Peace though somewhat dishonourable to the English ensued and in the same year viz. 1327 dyed Charles the Fair King of France without Issue by which means that Crown devolved to King Edward in Right of his Mother Daughter to Philip the Fair and Sister to Chaâ—lâ—s but to bar the English of that Advantage the French Peers opposed their Salique Law pretending thereby that no Woman was capable of Inheriting the Crown of France or being admitted the Regency and thereupon they admitted Phillip de Valois whose Father was younger Brother to Philip the Fair which afterward cost the French many showers of Bloud About this time the Lord Mortimer and the Queen Mother perceiving Edmund Earl of Kent the King's Uncle to cross their purposes found means to procure his Death which so far opened the Eyes of the young King together with the Report that his Mother was with Child by Mortimer as not to think himself in safety till he had crushed that ambitious Man and the better to doe it he undertook a daring Enterprize for fearing he was with the Queen at Notingham Castle notwithstanding it was strongly guarded he entered in the night time accompanied with a few of his trusty Friends and by an unsuspected way viz. through a Vault under ground coming suddenly into his Mother's Chamber found Mortimer undressed and ready to go to Bed to her whereupon he caused him to be a Arrested and carried away Prisoner and being tryed in open Parliament he was Condemened at Westminster upon several Articles viz. For causing the King to make a dishonorable Peace with the Scots and taking large Bribes to procure it For procuring the Death of King Edward the Second and his over Familiarity with Queen Isabel For his oppressing the People by illegal Exactions And lastly For embezzling the King's Treasures And for these and the like receiving Sentence as a Traytor he was drawn to Tyburn and there hanged and his Body left on the Gallows for the space of two days and nights and with him in the same manner dyed Sir Simon de Bedford and John Deverell Esq as Contrivers of King Edward the Second's Death the Queen had likewise her Pension shortened And now there arising a Dispute between the Houses of Baliol and Bruce for the Crown of Scotland King Edward not thinking himself obliged to stand to what Mortimer and his Mother had done in his Minority since many of his Towns were detained raised a considerable Army and striking in with Edward Baliol besieged Berwick when to relieve it the whole Power of Scotland advanced so that at Halydon Hill the Battel was joined and after an obstinate bloudy Fight the Scots were routed with great slaughter there dyed Archibald Douglas Earl of Angus Governour of Scotland the Earls of Southerland Carrick and Ross the three Sons of the Lord Walter Steward and about 14000 of lesser rank with a very inconsiderable damage to the English whereupon Berwick surrendered and Baliol was accepted King of Scotland submitting to King Edward as his Homager for the Kingdom and he in lieu thereof became his Protector King Edward having settled Scotland began to take into Consideration the Injuries the French had done in preventing him of his Right as likewise by encroaching upon his Territories in that Kingdom and finding no redress by way of Embassy he resolved to gain it by the Sword yet to justifie his Actions he sent his Reasons to the College of Cardinals and the better to strengthen his Interest made a League with the High and Low Dutch as he did with other foreign Potentates and now he proceeds to require a Supply which being liberally given and Moneys raised by sundry other ways he raised a gallant Army and crossed the Seas to Antwerp assuming by the importunity of the Flemings the Title and Armories of France quartering the Lillies with the Lions and having all things in a readiness he entered the North part of that Kingdom burning and destroying the Country as far as Turwin returning with the Spoil to Antwerp where with Philippa his Queen he kept Christmas and about Candlemas set Sail for England The French having had a tast of the King of England's Courage and he resolving to goe on pressed the Parliament for a greater Supply which was liberally granted and he in lieu of that Kindness gave a general Pardon of Trespasses and other dues to him confirming Magna Charta and Charta de Forestae and on the 23d of June set sail from Harwich intending for Sluce but in the way was encountered by 400 French Ships with which the King engaged and having the favour of the Wind and Sun made an almost incredible Destruction so that the terrour of the English caused many of the French to leave their Ships and leap into the Sea so that Thirty thousand are said to have perished together with the greatest part of the Fleet and the King landing entered France sitting down before Tourney from whence he sent the French King a Challenge to fight single handed for the Kingdom or if that pleased not each to bring 100 Men into the Field for the saving the effusion of more bloud or otherwise within Ten days to join Battel near Tourney But to this King Philip made no direct Answer alledging the Letter was not sent to him the King of France but barely to Philip d' Valois for so it was directed and he therefore thought himself in honour not bound to Answer it yet he approached the English Camp with a very numerous Army and every day Battel was expected but Two Cardinals and the Mother of King Philip so laboured to prevent the slaughter that must have ensued that a Truce was concluded till the Midsummer following The Truce was no sooner expired but King Edward invaded Normandy to the City of Caen and over-ran the Countrey allmost within sight of the Walls of Paris forcing his way over the Sein and where the Bridges were broken
of using their Arms which the Duke of Brabant perceiving advanced furiously to break the Order of the English and encourage his side but met his Fate in that Attempt however the Duke of Alanzon broke in upon the King's Standard and there had slain the Duke of Gloucester had not the King prevented it by timely interposing and between them began a sharp dispute wherein the Duke of Alanzon all most beat the King's Crown flat to his Helmet but being struck from his Horse by Henry and crying out he was Alanzon notwithstanding his begging quarter and the King's endeavour to save him the enraged Soldiers for the Danger he had put their Sovereign into dispatched him on the spot so that the Rear-guard of the French Army being worsted and unable to sustain the Fury of the English fled without fighting leaving the Victory with infinite spoil and a great number of Prisoners to a handfull of Men in a manner naked and allmost half starved which may convince the World that Victory depends not upon the Arm of Flesh but scarcely was the Field cleared of the French before another Army bigger than that of the English which was coming to their Aid and knowing nothing of the Defeat appeared upon the Hills and the King fearing the great number of Prisoners might turn against him during the heat of the Fight caused them all as a Maxim of self-â—â—eservation except those of the greatest Quality to be killed and then sent a Herauld to summon them to fight or depart immediately for if they stayed whilst he charged them they must expect no Quarter whereupon the King of Sicily who commanded in chief not thinking it convenient with those Forces to dispute what so great an Army had lost drew off so that King Henry finding himself an entire Conquerour fell on his Knees and commanding all both Officers and Soldiers to doe the like with up lifted hands and said Not unto us O Lord not unto us but unto thy Name be given the Glory And having learned the name of the place he said Let this be called the Battel of Agincourt all posterity In this Battel were slain of the French one thousand Princes Noblemen Knights and Esquires and ten thousand common Soldiers The Prisoners of note were Charles Duke of Orleance John Duke of Burbon the Earl of Richmond Lowis de Burbon the Count de Vendosme the Earl of Eu Edward de Roven and divers others The English loft of Note were the Duke of York and Earl of Suffolk with two Knights and David Gam Esquire the common Soldiers that fell were very inconsiderable some not allowing above one hundred twenty eight but that seems somewhat partial The next day after this Battel Henry marched with the spoil and his Prisoners off the Field towards Callais his Soldiers now having Cloaths and plenty of all Necessaries and having fortified the Towns he had taken and given necessary Orders he came for England and was received in London with Triumph and there presented with one thousand pounds and two Gold Basons and calling a Parliament he had a Subsidy of a Tenth granted for the carrying on his Wars in France which not sufficing he pawned his Crown to Cardinal Beaufort his Unckle and his Jewels to the Lord Mayor of London for ten thousand Marks then he passed the Sea with an Army of 25527. every fourth being an Horseman besides a thousand Carpenters and Labourers and the first of August 1417. arrived in Normandy bringing such a terrour upon the Countrey that most of the Inhabitants fled into Bretaigne and having dubbed thirty eight Knights he laid Siege to Conquest and took it the 16th of August with the Castles of Aubeliers and Lovers he likewise stormed the City of Caen and gave the Pillage to his Soldiers During K. Henry's Success in France the Scots invaded England bringing with them a Person representing Richard the Second but hearing as they lay at the Siege of Roxborough and Berwick that the English Army was marching toward them they raised the Sieges and fled This did not hinder the King 's proceeding in France for there he took many Cities and had the strong Castle of Fallors delivered him then divided his Army under the Commands of the Dukes of Clarence Gloucester and Earl of Warwick so that taking divers places at once he set down before Roan and took it after a year's Siege obliging the Burgesses for their Ransome and being permitted quietly to live there pay him 356000 Crowns and swear Fealty to him and his Successors And now the French finding themselves unable to make head against the English and Accommodation was sought and to bring it the easier to pass an Interview was had between King Henry and King Charles at the Town of Melun where the Queen and the Princess Katharine of France was present and there King Henry first fixed his Eyes and Affection on that beauteous Maid and finding the French Noblemen averse to his Demands he told the Duke of Burgundy that he would either have the Princess and what he had farther required or he would drive him and the rest of the Nobles out of France To which the Duke replied That he might say his pleasure but before he should drive them out of France he should be weary of the Enterprize This Treaty proving ineffectual the King took the Town of Ponthois and gave large spoil to his Soldiers which obliged the French King to remove his Court from Paris to Troyis in Champaigne and now to facilitate the English Conquests the Dauphin having put a sensible Affront upon the Queen his Mother she conceived a mortal hatred and laboured to ruine him confederating with the Duke of Burgundy and procuring her self by reason of the King's Imbecility to be made Regent of France and soon after the Dauphin causing John Duke of Burgundy to be slain in his presence as he came to doe him Homage for contriving as he said the death of Lewis Duke of Orleance that he might the better sway the Kingdom under an infirm King Philip the young Duke of Burgundy to revenge his Father's death closed with King Henry and proceeded to persuade Charles the French King to disinherit the Dauphin and give the Lady Katharine in Marriage to the King oâ— England and the Queen seconding this Project it was effected and a Peace concluded between the two Crowns upon divers Articles the chief being That Charles and Isabel should retain the name of King and Queen and hold all their Dignities Rents and Possessions during their natural Lives That after their deaths the Crown and Realm of France should with all its Rights and Appurtenances remain unto the King of England and his Heirs for ever and that by reason of the Infirmity of King Charles therefore during his Life the Affairs of the Realm of France together with the Government thereof should remain in the King Henry so that thenceforth he should govern the Realm and admit to his Council and
Assistence with the Council of France such of the English Nobility as he should see convenient with other Articles to the number of thirty very advantageous to the English were all sworn to at Troyis May the 30th 1420. and proclaimed in London the June following and Homage sworn to King Henry who was proclaimed Regent of France and on the 3d of June the Marriage was celebrated in the presence of divers of the chief Nobility of England and France at Troyis with great Pomp and Splendour and they rode in Triumph to take Possession of the Palace in Paris and a Parliament of the three Estates were assembled in that City who confirmed what had been done by the Kings and it was there likewise ratified by the General Estates of the Realm and Sworn to particularly on the Holy Evangelist by the French Noblemen and Rulers Spiritual and Temporal who moreover sealed the Instruments which were sent over to be kept in the King's Exchequer at Westminster which done the King left the Duke of Clarence his Lieutenant in France and came for England with his Queen where he was received with Joy and Triumph causing her to be crowned at Westminster and then proceeded to call a Parliament for farther Supplies to maintain his War against the Dauphin who still stood out to recover the Kingdom but the Commons exhiting a Petition of Poverty he again pawned his Crown to Cardinal Beaufort for 20000 pounds and passed into France with 4000 Horse and 24000 Foot and his presence there was necessary for the Dauphin strengthened by Forces for Scotland under the Leading of the Earl of Buchanan and Archibald Douglas defeated and killed the Duke of Clarence took the Earls of Huntindon Somerset and others Prisoners and heightened with that Success he laid Siege to Alenzon and cut off the Provisions of Paris but the King 's Approach made him to retire to Bury King Henry soon recovered what the Dauphin had taken and drove him to great distress but when this great King had triumphed over that mighty Kingdom with unconquerable Fortune and Success and annexed it fully to the Crown of England death laid his Arrest upon him for falling sick of a burning Fever and Flux he dyed on the 30th of August 1422. at Bloice de Vincennois and his Body brought over was buried with pomp at Westminster hard by the Tomb of Edward the Confessour appointing by his last Will and Testament his younger Brother Humphry Duke of Gloucester Protectour of England his Brother John Duke of Bedford Regent of France and Thomas Beaufort Guardian of his Son Henry born a little before at Windsor contrary to the King 's express command who when he heard the Queen had lain in at that place prophetically spake viz. Good God! I Henry of Monmouth shall have but a short Reign and win much but Henry of Windsor shall reign long and lose all yet God's Will be done This Henry was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland eldest Son of Henry the Fourth by Mary his Queen He began his Reign on the 20th of March 1412. and reigned 9 Years 5 Months and 10 days and was the 34th sole Monarch of England Thus Beauty Power and Honour yield to death Great Conquerours like Slaves resign their breath Their Lawrels in the Dust with them must lie But Fame's immortal and can never dye The Life Reign and Actions of HENRY the Sixth King of England France c. HEnry of Windsor so called from the place of his Birth upon the death of his Father was crowned when he exceeded not eight Months of age the Queen holding him in her lap whilst the Solemnity was performed to whom his Nurtriture and Education was committed but his Minority much disadvantaged the English Interest in France for old King Charles dying Charles his Son greatly strengthned his party and although he was called by the English in derision only King of Burry as having little more left him yet now he encroached upon the English wresting from them sundry places by the help of Aids from Scotland and Italy which made the English Regent think it time to give him Battel and accordingly the Armies joyned near Vernoli where the French were overthrown the Regent doing wonders in his own person and there were slain the Constable and Lieutenant of France the Earls of Wigton and Vantadour with about five thousand others and the Duke of Alanzon taken Prisoner upon which Victory the English besieged Monts in Main and having with his Cannon made a great breach in the Wall it was surrendered and a little while after the Earl of Salisbury besieged Orleance and brought it to such distress that the Garison was willing to surrender to the Duke of Burgundy but the Earl refused it which so offended the Duke that he declined the English Interest which proved very prejudicial The French being in a drooping Condition and using strong Cordials to support their Spirits one Joan a Shepherdess of Lorrain came to the Dauphin and offered him her Service saying She was sent by God to deliver France out of the hands of the English and not exceeding eighteen years of age her offer at first was looked upon as rediculous but she persisting in what she had declared the Dauphin caused her to be armed at all points and desiring the Sword that hung in St. Catharines Church she got into Orleance then besieged by the English and from thence sent a Letter commanding them to raise the Siege and deliver up the Towns they possessed for she was resolved to drive them out of France but they looked upon it only as proceeding from Folly or a raving fit yet in the several Sallies she made it proved otherwise for by the violent Sallies she made the Siege was raised with loss to the English she commonly fighting in the head of the French and animating them to go on couragiously for being in one of the Sallies shot through the Arm with an Arrow and perswaded to retire she cryed out This is a favour let us go on they cannot escape the hands of God and there of note were slain the Earl of Salisbury the Lords Moline and Poynings Sir Thomas Gagrave and the French say about eight thousand common Soldiers yet our Historians allow but six hundred and the French following their success wrested several Towns and surprising a party of English overthrew them taking Prisoners the Lords Talbot Scales Hungerford and Sir Thomas Rampston whereupon several Towns revolted and the Dauphin took Auxier and Rhiemes in the latter of which according to the direction of Joan called by the French the Maid of God Charles the Dauphin caused himself to be Crowned King of France Joan of Arks having been hitherto very sucsessfull and done the Dauphin singular service coming to the relief of Campaign which was greatly distressed by the English and Burgundians in a desperate charge advancing too far and being separated from those that should have succoured her she was
into the Countrey he was invited to hunt in the Park of one Thomas Burdet Esq where after having caught much Game he by the persuasion oâ— some that were about him killed a white Buck which for its Tameness and comely Form was greatly beloved by the Owner and upon notice it was slain he wished the Horns of it in the Belly of those that advised the King to doe it which being over-heard by some Court Parasites they to curry favour with the King made their Report of it to him with aggravation insomuch that Burdet was tried and cast for High Treason in wishing the King's Death and accordingly beheaded at Tyburn Another Person he caused to be hanged before his own door in Cheapside for saying to a little Youth his Son that if he would mind his Book and be a good Boy he would make him heir to the Crown meaning in all probability his house that bore that Sign c. But now the King worn out with Wars and Women much grieved for the untimely death of his Brother fell sick and sending for the Nobles that were at Court he earnestly desired them to live peaceably together and have regard to his Children in their tender Years forgetting Injuries and Animosities as they tendered the Love of God and their King appointing his Son Edward a Youth of about 12 years of Age to succeed him making the Duke of Gloucester Protectour of his Person during his Minority and then gave up the Ghost on the 9th of Apr. 1483. He had Issue by Elizabeth his Wife Daughter to Richard Woodvile Earl Rivers Prince Edward Richard Duke of Bedford who dyed a Child Richard Duke of York Elizabeth married to Henry VII Ciciâ— married to the Lord Viscount Wells Anne married to Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk Bridget a veiled Nun Mary who dyed 1482. Margaret who dyed an Infant Katharine married to William Courtney Earl of Devonshire his base Issue was Arthur and Elizabeth This Edward was King of England France and Lord of Ireland Son to Richard Plantagenet Duke of York he began his Reign on the 4th of March 1460. and reigned 22 Years 1 Month and 5 Days and was the 36th sole Monarch of England he dyed in the 40th year of his Age and the 23d of his Reign his Body was buried in the new Chapel at Windsor whose Foundation himself had laid Thus after bloudy Toils with restless Fate The Warlike Prince does to the Grave retreat The mighty dead now undistinguished lies Death makes the Monarch and the Slave his prize The Reign and Actions of Edward the V. King of England c. EDward V upon the death of his Father was committed to the Care and Tutulage of Sir Anthony Woodvile with whom were joined sundry of the Queens Relations before her Marriage but Richard Duke of Glocester the deceased King's Brother thirsting after Sovereignty laboured to remove them from the Person of the young King and to that â—nd hearing they were bringing him out of the Countrey whither he had retired to be crowned â—t London with a great Power and Train he so â—ealt with the Queen that she sent express word they should save the charge and trouble of so great 〈◊〉 Concourse and urged as Gloucester had insinuated that it would give the Nobility at London apprehensions of danger and occasion of disturbance or discontent and having made the Duke of Buckâ—ngham the Lord Hastings and others his Confidents he marched to Stonystratford and there took â—ho young King by force from the small Train that attended him arresting the Lord Richard Grey Sir Thomas Vaughan and Sir Richard Hawtre in the King's presence nor could his entreaty prevail for their delivery he made Sir Anthony Woodvile now Lord Rivers Prisoner and soon after sent him and the Lord Grey with a strong Guard to a Castle in the North pretending for his Justification of these proceedings that they had a design upon his Life and the Lives of the ancient Nobility that they might have the power of the King and Kingdom in their own hands and to render the report more plausible caused old Armour and rusty weapons to be shewed to the people in his way to London pretending those were the Instruments intended to doe the business The Queen upon the surprising news began to have mortal Apprehensions of the danger the King and her self were in finding how she had been imposed on by the Protectour in forbidding the strength intended for the Guard of her Son's Person and the better to secure her self she removed with her son Richard Duke of York and her Daughters into the sanctuary at Westminster and people werâ— filled with fear and confusion especially when they found the Thames full of Boats with the servants oâ— Buckingham and Gloucester in them to prevent thâ— escape of any persons that way and to prevenâ— their coming to sanctuary however the Archbishop of York comforted the Queen the best he could delivering up the Broad Seal and telling her if anâ— misfortune came to the King he would crown hiâ— Brother and the Duke of Gloucester caused thâ— Lord Hasting Lord Chamberlain to send a Messagâ— to the Archbishop to assure him all would be well but the Queen declared against that Lord as onâ— that sought the Ruine of her Family however oâ— the fourth of May the King came to Town and waâ— in much Pomp conveyed to the Bishop of London Palace where the Dukes of Gloucester Buckingham and other Noblemen swore Fealty to him and by a second Approbation the first was confirmed Protector of the King's Person and Kingdoms Gloucester having made a prosperous beginning fell to strengthening his Party and held divers Councils to contrive what was farther to be done but he found he had as yet but half his Prey in his hands and thereupon he laboured to get the Duke of York into his possession and to that end Consultations were held in the Stra-chamber where it was resolved that for sundry Reasons he should be with his Brother but the Abbat and Archbishop declaring it was no ways reasonable but alltogether dangerous to make a breach upon the sanctuary the latter was appointed to wait upon the Queen to prevail with her for his peaceable delivery and although she used many pregnant Reasons to the contrary yet understanding the Protectour was resolved to have him by force if fair means failed she with much regret and a floud of sorrow delivered him to the charge of the Archbishop and other Lords that attended saying I deliver him and his Brother into your hands of whom I shall require them before God and the World after which she tenderly kissed and embraced the Infant blessing him and weeping over him as a fatal presage of his Misfortune whilst the Child wept as fast the Protectour having gotten him he took him in his Arms and gave him a treacherous Kiss saying Now wellcome my Lord even with all my heart The Prize thus gotten the Councils were removed
of England were beheaded and yet by the contrivance of the Papists the bloudy six Articles were brought in a sa Snare to those of the Reformed Religion upon which account many suffered the Flames and amongst others Dr. Barns and Mrs. Ann Askew who refusing after Tortures to comply were committed to the devouring Fire and the King Married the Lady Catharine Parr who favoured the Lutherans and was of the Reformed Church whose Life the Papists often put in danger but she escaped the Snare and out-lived the King who having invaded both Scotland and France upon the disappointment in the Match proposed and agreed on between Prince Edward and the Lady Mary of Scotland Heir and Heiress to the two Crowns and won Bulloin in France wasting Scotland wsth Fire and Sword and taking upon him the Title of King of Ireland he fell sick in January 1547. and made his Will that in default of Issue his Son and two Daughters should successively possess the Trone and giving great Sums to charitable Uses dyed the 28th of the same Month. This Henry was King of England France and Ireland second Son to Henry the Seventh he Reigned 37 Years 9 Months and six Days and was the forty sole Monarch of England the Issue he left behind him were Edward Mary and Elizabeth who succeeded him in the Sovereignty he dyed in the 56th year of his Age and was buried in the Chapell at Windsor Thus the Eighth Henry ends his bloudy Reign Beauty it self with him can't Pitty gain Yet met by Death amongst the Dead he lies And with his Life he ends his Cruelties The Life Reign and Actions of Edward the Sixth King of England c. PIous Edward the Sixth far from his Fathers temper was born on the 12th of Ostober 1537. occasioning by his Birth the Death of his Mother Queen Jane for in her hard labour King Henry having notice it was a Son for which he had passionately longed and that either the Child or the Mother must perish he intimated he could have more Wives but knew not whether he should have another Son whereupon the Chirurgeons having dozed the Queen with strong Spirits to make her senseless of the pain by making a large Incision took forth the Birth but by that usage the Queen soon after dyed This Prince was Crowned at Westminster on the 20th of February 1547. having the three Swords delivered to him as King of England France and Ireland and upon this he told them there was yet another Sword to be delivered to him viz. The Holy Bible which is the Sword of the Spirit and without which no King can Govern well Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset and his Mothers Brother was made Protector over his Minority and hereupon it was concluded the Scots should be compelled to make good the Marriage which otherwise they refused to do wherefore a great Army was raised and led by the Lord Protector into Scotland and vanquished the Scots in Muschelborough Field after an obstinate and bloudy Fight with great slaughter of their men chasing them about five miles so that there dyed the Lord Fleming with sundry others of quality and ten thousand of lesser note and one thousand were taken Prisoners amongst whom of note were the Earl of Huntly the Lords Yester Hobby and Hamilton the Earl of Cassis and the Lord Weems so that the English without any farther opposition sacked and burnt Lieth the Island of St. Colmes Brougherag Roxborough Humes Castle and other places which obliged many of the Scotch Nobility and Gentry to come and cast themselves at the Proctor's Feet beseeching him to spare their Country entering into terms with him on condition of Peace whereupon he returned to England and a Parliament was called and the bloudy six Articles repealed those Colledges Chapells and Religious Houses that King Henry had spared were given to the King Edward and Commissioners appointed to purge the Churches of Images which accordingly was done but in the West Mr. Body one of the Commissioners was stabbed to the heart by a Priest and to justifie the murther 10000 of the Cornish and Devonshire Rusticks took Arms Headed by Humphry Aurundell six other Gentlemen and eight Priests who straightly besieged Exceter but were beaten off after they had done considerable mischief yet they continued in Arms â—nd sent the King sundry Articles to be aggreed to viz. That they might have Mass Celebrated as in times â—ast that they might have Holy Bread and Holy Water in â—membrance of Christ's Body and Bloud that the six Articles might be again in force with some others to which the young King pittying their ignorance returned them an answer with a general Pardon if they submitted but that not prevailing and the multitude still encreasing an Army was sent against them which put them to flight at Honiton and beat â—hem before Exceter and on Cliff-Heath utterly disâ—omfitted them with considerable slaughter and all the Popish Trumpery which the Priests had brought â—nto the Field to encourage them were trampled under Feet and Aurundel Holms Winsland and Bury â—our of their Ring-leaders were taken and Executed â—nd a Miller's man near Bodmin taking upon him by â—is Masters directions to personate him Sir Anthony Kingstone Marshal of the Field commanded him to â—e hanged the Fellow confidently affirming himself to be the Rebellious Miller till he came to the Gallows yet there declared he was but his man yet this late Confession stood him in no stead for Sir Anthony caused him to be hanged telling him he could never do his Master better Service but the troubles ended not thus for the Priests being unhived and deprived of their Roast-meat stir'd up the people in other parts of the Kingdom and especially those in Norfolk were Headed by one Robert Kett a Tanner who Stiled himself the King's Deputy to redress Grievances issuing out Writs and Warrants in the King's name and chusing an Old Oake to sit in Council called the Oake of Reformation to which Tribunal all Complaints and Grievances of the Rusticks were brought to be redressed and Orders were sent for the plundering Gentlemens Houses taking Arms and Amunition out of Ships c. making themselves Master of the City of Norwich over-throwing the Marques of Northampton but the Lord Dudly Earl of Warwick being sent against them forced the City and caused Sixty of such as he there had taken iâ— Arms to be immediately hanged however thâ— Rebels intrenched and fortified their Camp at the foot of a Hill called Duffin-dale encouraging themselves upon a vain Prophecy that Hob Dic and Hic meaning the Rusticks should with their Clubâ— fill up the Valley of Duffin-dale with the Bodys of the slain On the 27th of August the Earl prepared to give them Battel when the better to retard him the Rebels set in the head of their Battel all the Gentlemen and others that they had taken Prisoners coupled in Irons however Captain Drury with hiâ— Band of Almains broke in furiously and
gave those persons leave for the most part to escape and the Earls light Horse-men coming on the Rebels gave back and at length betook them to open flight and were pursued three miles with the slaughter oâ— 3500 of them yet such as had Barrocaded themselves with Carts and Waggons amongst the Ordinance as men in despair resolved to sell their liveâ— at a dear rate but upon offer of Pardon they threw down their Arms crying God save King Edward and the next day Kett being siezed in a Barn was hanged in Chains upon the Castle of Norwich and his Brother William Kett was hanged on Womanhaâ— Steple and Nine others on the Oake of Reformation The pretence of this Rebellion was about throwing open Inclosures which the King by his Proclamation had commanded to be done but it was neglected These Commotions were no sooner over but another Rebellion broke out in the North Headed by Thomas Dale a Parish Clark one Stephenson a â—ost-master and William Ombler a Yeoman pretending to restore Church rights and redress Grievances declaring the power of the Pope above that of the Kings and that the Church had power of â—oth Swords but this feeble Rebellion not exceeding â—000 vanquished upon the Kings sending his Forâ—es and offer of Pardon yet Ombler Dale and four others were on the 12th of September 1549. Execuâ—ed at York as Seducers and Ring-leaders These and the like disturbances qeieted considerable ones began at Court for Thomas Seymour Baron of Sudley High Admiral of England having married Queen Catharine Parr Widow to Henry the Eighth and some words and contest happening between her and the Dutches of Somerset Wife to the Protector for precedences the two Brothers so unadvizedly espoused their Wives Quarel which was fomented by secret Enemies that the Admiral by the Protector 's procurement being accused in Parliament for attempting to get the King's person and Government into his hands c. Upon slender proofs was Sentenced and lost his Head on Tower-Hill on the 20th of March to the great grief of the young King who aboured to prevent it but by Somerset's removing this Brother he stood open to the malice and revenge of his implacable Enemies for soon after by the contrivance of Northumberland and others divers Articles were exibited against him for abusing his Trust Animating the Rebels sowing Sedition amongst the Nobles keeping a Court of Requests in his own house whereupon he was deprived of his Authority and sent to the Tower but the King soon released him yet was he not restored to his Trusts Whilst these heats lasted at Court the Affairs abroad were neglected insomuch that the Scots recovered most of the Town the English had taken and the French attempted to surprize Bullenberg with seven thousand men but were beaten off witâ— the loss of one hundred and fifty and had no better sucsess in their attempts upon Guernsey and Jersey Islands however things not going well at home Bullenberg and Bulloin were surrendred to the Frencâ— upon Conditions and the payment of a large Sumâ— of Mony and now to add to the Calamity thâ— Mortal Disease called the Sweating Sickness raged in England carrying off many thousands pursuing the English into Forreign Countrys where none but they were afflicted with it And now the Duke of Northumberland being grown great at Court laboured to remove the Duke of Somerset and by aâ— Stratagem found an opportunity for the Duke by some of his flatters being perswaded there was aâ— design against his life went privately Armed to the Council but his Gown opening as he sate at the Board it was laid hold of as a design in him to kill some of the King 's Privy Counsellors and that with some light matters being urged with agravation they procured his imprisonment and soon after being tryed and found guilty of Felony though he might have come off by his Clergy yet his Council nor himself not foreseeing to claim it he was on the 22d of February Anno 1550 brought to Tower-Hill and there after having declared his Innocence and made a most Christian Speech he was beheaded which some looked upon as a Judgment for so rigorously persecuting his Brother Upon the Death of this Uncle though Plays and other Devices were made to divert the King he grew Melancholly and the people were greatly Incensed against Northumberland however he taking the occasion from the King's Sickness and Disorder procured him to disinherit his two Sisters Mary and Elizabeth and settle the Crown on Jane Eldest Daughter to the Duke of Suffolk by the Lady Frances Daughter to Charles Brandon and Mary Queen of France younger Sister to King Henry the eighth who was married to Guilford Dudly Fourth Son to Northumberland and to this Will of the Kings the Council Bishops and all the Judges except Sir John Hollis Subscribed and the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London afterward promised their Assistance and Protection but this was supposed to hasten the King's Death For Northumberland having gotten what he expected viz. The Crown in his own Family removed his Physicians â—nd trusty Friends putting him into the hands of a â—he Doctress who wittingly or unskilfuly brought him to his End on the 6th of July 1553. This good Prince is accounted a second Josia exceeding in Charity and Piety all that went before him having Learning and Understanding far above his years â—nd had he lived a longer Date he had proved more perspicuously the Mirror of Kings This Edward was King of England France and Ireland the only Son of King Henry the Eighth by Jane his third Wife he Reigned six Years five Months and eight Days and was the one and Forâ—ieth sole Monarch of England dying in the 16th of his Age and was buried at Westminster Thus England's Phoenix early left the Stage His Death was much Lamented of the Age Yet he contented dy'd from 's Throne to rise In Angels Arms to everlasting joys The Life and Bloudy Reign of Queen Mary UPon the Death of King Edward according to his Will the Lady Jane was proclaimed in London and elsewhere and confirmed by the Council but Mary Eldest Daughter to King Henry the Eighth being then at Fremingham Castle sent to complain against their Proceedings in giving away her right commanding them to acknowledge heâ— their lawfull Queen but they returned her a very slight answer commanding her to be obedient to Queen Jane her Sovereign whereupon with such Friends as she had about her she prepar'd for London and to her a great many of the Suffolk men repaired offering her their Service in case their Religion might be asured insomuch that by that means and the siezure of several Ships in the Ports out of which she caused the Cannon and Ammuition to be taken she became formidable whereupon an Army of 13000 men under the Command of the Duke of Northumberland marched out against her but by that time the Duke was got as far as Cambridge he had notice that
and other places the better to secure his new acquired greatness and was the first that admitted the Jews to Inhabit England and finding some stirs in Normandy he re-passed the Seas and fought his Son Robert who dismounted him but knowing his voice remounted him and begged his pardon and by that means they were made Friends and the War ceased However finding Odo Bishop of Bayeux and Earl of Kent secretly Conspiring against him he Confiscated his Estate and Banished him his Dominions and being about to War against the French who during the Contest with his Son had offered some Indignities to his Dominions in Normandy he fell sick of a great pain and disorder in his Bowels whereat the French King in a scofing manner said Our Cousin William is now in Childbed therefore it behoves us to consider what number of Candles we must offer when he is Churched for no doubt they must be very many This being told to King William he in a rage swore by the Resurrection and brightness of God That his Cousin of France should be at no such cost or trouble but that at his Churching himself would light a thousand Candles in France and he failed not in his promise for entering that Kingdom with Fire and Sword he burnt the City of Mentz or Metz and many other places yet being too eager in pursuit of the French and of a Corpulent Body his Horse with a surious bound broke the Inner Rim or Film of his Belly of which when he had quieted the Disturbances abroad and at home and an extream Surfeit he got by overheating himself in action he died after a considerable sickness at Roan in Normandy Anno 1087. and there forsaken of his Sons and Courtiers who hasted to secure their respective Interests his Body was left unburied till one Harulims a poor Country Knight at his proper charge conveyed it to Cane where upon the attempting to bury him in St. Stephen's Chappel it was denied by one Ascelinus Fitz Arthur who in the Name of God forbad it saying It was the very place of his Father's House Floar which the Duke in his Life-time had wrongfully taken from him and upon his Inheritance founded the Church Therefore continued he I challenge the Ground and on God's behalf forbid that the Body of any Oppressor or Dispoiler be buried in my Earth neither shall it be Interred in the Precincts of my right But in conclusion Henry the Conqueror's younger Son hearing of the refusal compounded for 100 pound weight of silver and the Body was accordingly Interred with little or no Pomp for during the Contest his Belly burst in sunder and the Contageon thereby occasioned was so great that few could indure it he died on the 9th day of September 1087. in the 56th year of his Dukedom of Normandy and the 21st of his Reign over England in the 64th year of his Age his Wife was Maud Daughter to Baldwin the first Earl of Flanders his Issue was Robert sirnamed Curthois or Short-boots William sirnamed Miser who died Anno 1028. Richard who after his Father had gained the English Diadem came to a violent Death being gored in the New Forrest by a Stag or as others have it died by the stroke of a Bough William Rufus who succeeded him in the Kingdom of England though he nominated no Successor but left it to God's disposal much bewailing on his Death-Bed the Rigour and Oppressions he had used towards the English Henry born at Selby in York-shire Anno 1070. Cicely a veiled Nun Constance Married to Allain Earl of Britain in France Alice Married to Stephen Earl of Bloys by whom she had Stephen Earl of Mortain and Boleine afterward King of England Gundred Married to William d' Warren a Noble Norman and first Earl of Surry Ela who in her Child-hood was contracted to Duke Harrold afterward King of England Margaret who in her Childhood was given to Alphons King of Gallicia in Spain and William Preverel his Natural Son who was Created Earl of Nottingham His last Will and Testament was That all his Goods should be distributed to Churches Ministers and Poor limiting their respective Portions and to the Church and Monks of St. Stevens in Normandy where he above all â—oveted to be Buried he gave several Mannors as likewise his Crown which was afterward Redeemed by his Son Henry To Robert he left the Dutchey of Normandy but left as we said England free only wishing that his Son William might succeed him in it and presageing that Henry should in Conclusion possess all his Dominions he gave him 5000 Pounds the remainder of his Treasure He Deposed and Imprisoned Stigand Arch-bishop of Canterbury who died in Prison However he built many fair Churches and Abbies endowing them with Revenues and large Priviledges specially Battle-Abby where he slew King Harrold so that any Theâ—f or Murtherer flying thither had safe Protection and if the Abbot came by where any Execution was in hand he might if he pleased save the Malefactor he allowed a certain Pention to the Monks to â—ray for the Soul of King Harrold and those that were â—lain in the Battle In this King's time who was the 20th sole Monarch of England happened a dreadful Earthquake strange Burning Feavors proving very Mortal Murrains causing great Dearth of Cattle extraordinary Rains and Inundations which softned the Hills to that degree that some of them sunk to a flatness and overwhelmed the Neighbouring Villages most of the chief Cities suffered by Fire and London had her Houses and Churches burnt as the fire carried it from the West Gate to the East Gate Thus Lived and sell the Potent Conqueror Death's sorce subdued what ne'er was foil'd in War The Reign of William II. Sirnamed Rufus King of England c. VVIlliam Rufus so named from the redness of his Face although his Elder Brother Robert was alive immediately passing to London he by the assistance of Lanfrank Arch-bishop of Canterbury and VVolstane so far wrought upon the Council that he procured himself to be Crowned Anno 1087. at VVestminster but Odo his Uncle returning from his Banishment stirred up Robert his Brother against him instigating the Nobles to take part with him but Robert wanting Money was obliged for the better carrying on the Expedition to Pawn the Province of Constantine to his Brother Henry but whilst these preparations were in hand VVilliam to ingratiate himself with the English made large Promises to take off the hard Taxes and restore the Laws his Father had abolished upon which the people siding with him he wrested many of the strong Holds out of the hands of thosâ— that had seized them for his Brother Robert proceeding to besiege his Uncle Odo in Richester putting forth his Proclamation by which he ordered all people to repair thither in Arms and whoever refused he should be accounted a Niding which word at that time was so distastful and hated by the English as signifying a Coward or mean-spirited Fellow
another it was carried to VVinchester â—…nd buried in the Cathedral Church but since the â—…ones have been removed to and laid with those of â—…anute the Danish King This was the King who built VVestminster Hall â—…inety yards in length and twenty four yards two â—…eet in breadth yet when he came to see it he complained it was too little by half and therefoâ—… he would reserve it for a lodging Room He wâ—… slain as you have heard in the thirteenth year his Reign and the sorty sourth of his Age being tâ—… one and twentieth sole Monarch of England Thus Second William by misfortune's hand Drop'd in the Grave and left the wealthy Land Two Sons of the Great Conqueror met their fate VVhere he had laid the Country desolate The Reign â—and Actions of Henry the First King England c. HEnry the First English Monarch of that Namâ— who for his great Abilities in Learning wâ— called Beau-clark or good Scholar upon the uneâ— pected death of his Brother VVilliam and his Brothâ— Robert's being in the Holy Land waring again the Infidels upon many fair promises to the Noblâ— and Commons procured himself to be accepted King and was Crowned at VVestminster Anno 11â— Anselm being Archbishop of Canterbury and at fiâ— made it hisstudy to please all sorts striving to maâ— his House and Court a pattern of Virtue and goâ— Living to the rest of his Subjects permiting the Peâ— ple to have Fire and Candle in their Houses at the own discretion which under severe penalties had beâ— prohibited by his Father freeing the Churches froâ— reservations upon vacancies allowing the Heirs Noblemen to possess their Fathers Lands without Redemption ingaging the Nobles to do the like by the Tenants allowing so it were not to his Enemies tâ— Gentry to marry their Daughters and Kinswomen whom they pleased and that the Widow enjoyiâ— Joynter should be at liberty to maâ—â—y whom 〈◊〉 â—…ased That the Mother and nearest Relations â—…ould be Guardians to Fatherless Children during â—…ir Minority That such as coyned false Money â—…ould loose their Right Hand And if Men be deâ—…ved of their Genitals he ordained a certain Meaâ—…e to be a Standard Measure of Commerce accordâ—…g to the length of his Arm which is our Yard Forâ—…ing all Debts due to the Crown before be came to â—… Renewing the Laws of Edward the Confessor And â—…e better to strengthen his Title he married Maud â—…ughter to the King of Scots by Margaret Sister to â—…gard Atheling joyning in Succession to the Saxon â—…ngs But by this time News came that Robert his â—…der Brother after refusing the Scepter of Jerusalem which for his Valour and Conduct upon taking â—…t City from the Insidels was offered him by all the Western Princes that commanded the numerous Army of Christians in that glorious Expedition was â—…ndâ—d with an Army at Portsmouth and that many â—… the English sided with him which put the King to no small consternation however having got by â—…s lenity and fair pretences the hearts of the greater â—…rt of the People he resolved not to forgo what â—… had gotten and thereupon tried so far the good â—…mper of his Brother that by Presents and large â—…omises he worked upon him to remit his Claim â—…ein of which he was to have three thousand Marks â—…id him yearly and gave him six Months Royal Enâ—…tainment The Sunshine of Peace lasted not long before Beâ—…isine Earl of Shrewsbury and Roger Montgomery â—…ith divers other râ—…d but being vanquished â—…ey sled to Normandy however he was perplexed â—…the Arch-Bishop who influenced by the See of â—…ome contended to regulate the Clergy and dispose â—… Ecclesiastical promotions as he pleased refusing Consecrate such Bishops as the King was desirous to advance yet the King fearless of what mighâ— happen in England upon notice his Brother at thâ— instigation of some English Fugitives was preparinâ— for a second Invasion He resolved to prevent it by carrying the War into Normandy which he effected with such precepitation that he overthrew Robert took him Prisoner and sent him to Cardrâ— Castle where at first he was only Prisoner at large having the priviledge of the Medows and Parks under a slender Guard but as some will have it at tempting his escape but others the People too much pittying his condition and the apprehensions iâ— wrought made the King confine him a close Prisoner and the better to secure himself against any attempts this poor Prince might make cause thâ— Twinkles of his Eyes to be put out or clouded iâ— darkness by burning Glasses and not long after hâ— lost his Life some say by a voluntary starving himself out of a disdain he took that the King his Brother sent him a Suit of his old cast Clothes with aâ— addition That they were good enough for a Prisoner however this unnatural act greatly eclipsed the glory oâ— this King and too plainly shewed that Crowns knowâ— no Kindred when they stand in competion The Duke being dead King Henry seized upon his Dutchy of Normandy so that England may now be said to conquer Normandy though indeed it was unhappy for the English whom he began to restrain with a harder hand seeing he had removed the danger that threatned him banishing the Flemings who were desirous to instruct us in the Wollen Trade retracting many Grants he had passed and to strenghen his Alliance abroad he married Maud his Eldest Daughter to Henry the Fourth Emperor of Germany or the Romans and the Welsh promoting some disorders he forced them to obedience Aâ— likewise these in Normandy where new troubleâ— arose and that which gave him hopes of the settlement of Affairs was the death of the Arch-Bishop who to raise the Popes Power had opposed â—im in his important proceedings and was a great Enemy to the Married Priests who were tolerated â—n this Kings Reign The High Court of Parliament some Authors will have to be constituted in his Reign Anno 1116. William Eldest Son to Robert the deceased Duke of Normandy being alive Lewis King of France togeâ—her with the Earls of Flanders and Anjou laboured â—o fix him in the Dukedom but were frustrated â—nd a great Battle Anno 1119 was fought between â—he two Kings wherein Baldwin Earl of Flanders with divers other Nobles and some thousands of Common Soldiers were slain and the Victory falling â—o the English occasioned great loss and dishonour â—o the French and the Earl of Anjou upon King Henry's return to Roan with Palms of Triumph gave his Daughter and Heiress in Reversion of that Province to William the Kings Eldest Son whose Nuptials were solemnized with great joy and hope of future happiness But all things are unstable in this World for the King setting sail for England and the Prince with his Bride his Brothers Sisters and other great Personages staying six hours sail behind â—o take leave of their Friends resolved notwithstanding to come up with the King before he landed 〈◊〉 that the Marriners running a desperate course
the next day a Truce was concluded yet Simon de Monfort Earl of Leicester who headed the Baron's Army carrying the King about with him as his Prisoner got into his hands all the strong Holds These Proceedings in England putting a stop to the Pope's Revenue he sent Cardinal Ottobon his Legate to Excommunicate the Barons but they for a while despised it yet soon after falling out amongst themselves many of them came over to Prince Edw. who had taken the Field with an Army so that he enclosed the Earl of Leicester's Camp at Evesham and obliged him to battel where the Earl lost the day with his Life and had his Head Hands and Feet chopped off as a mark of Infamy By this Overthrow the King was rescued and set at liberty when to heal the long Divisions a Parliament was called at Winchester by whose Approbation the King seized the Charters of London and other Cities and Towns that had proved disloyal and the Legate proceeded to excommunicate the Bishops of Winchester London Worcester and Chichester for taking part with the King's Enemies And now Prince Edward with a great Train took a Journey to the Holy Land and the King more firmly to settle the Nation called a Parliament at Marlborough where the Statutes called by the name of the place were enacted but having been at Norwich to quiet a tumult and punish such as had burnt the Priory Church upon his return he fell sick at the Abby of St. Edmund in Suffolk and after a short Languishment dyed Anno 1272. from whence he was conveyed to Westminster and there buried in the Abbey This Henry King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Guyenne and Aquitain was eldest Son to King John his Wife was Eleanor Daughter of Raymond Earl of Provence by whom he had Issue Edward Edmund Richard who dyed young also John William and Henry Margaret married to Alexander the Third King of Scotland Beatrix married to John the First Duke of Bretaigne and Katharine who dyed young He began his Reign the 19th of October 1216. and reigned 56 Years and 28 Days being the 65th Year of his Age he was the 27th sole Monarch of England He was very charitably given and founded many Churches and Religious Houses In his time four Suns appeared from the Rising to the Setting after which followed a great Famine and eighteen Jews were hanged for crucifying a Child and others severely punished for circumcising another that had been christened Thus dyed Third Henry when on England's Stage H 'ad sway'd the Sceptre near a long liv'd Age The longest Reign the Nation e'er beheld Yet Life wound off by time the Cedar's fell'd The Reign and Actions of Edward the First King of England c. KIng Edward at the death of his Father Henry was warring in the Holy Land where he did Wonders in his own Person insomuch that the Sarazens dreading his Prowess the Governour of Damascus under a feigned Friendship sent a Villain to assassinate him who seeming as if he was about to deliver him a Letter stabbed him in three places in the Arm with a poisoned Dagger and had repeated the Wounds but that the Prince struck him down with his Foot whereupon his Guards came in and cut the Wretch in pieces as he lay on the floor yet these wounds by the Chirurgions were accounted mortal unless some one would hazard his own Life by sucking out the Poison but when every one shrunk back Eleanor his Wife who would by no means be persuaded from accompanying him in that tedious Journey chearfully undertook it and effected the Cure without any Injury done to her self for which generous Undertaking he raised Crosses and Monuments to her Memory in England The News of his Father's death no sooner reached him but setling the Affairs of the War he returned to England where together with his Queen he was crowned by Robert Kilwarby Archbishop of Canterbury at whose Coronation 500 Horses were let loose in a large Forest to be possessed by those that first caught them and upon notice the Welsh were in Arms he marched against them overthrew and slew Lewelin their Prince in a great Battel whose Head crowned with Ivy was set upon the Tower and utterly subduing those Mountainiers he made his Son Edward born amongst them at Caernarvon Prince of the Country And going for France he sate as a Peer of that Kingdom in consideration of the Lands and Territories he held there and upon his return banished the Jews to the number of 15000 for bringing in base Money and exacting Extortion Alexander the Third King of Scotland who had married King Edward's Sister being dead and the Lords Bruce and Baliol for want of other Heirs standing in competition for the Kingdom Edward by his Authority became Umpire and adjudged it to the latter promising to support his Right by Arms for which he was to become his Homager but that Prince being in the Throne to please his People who feared the English Greatness might be prejudicial to them hearkened to Proposals with France and suffered his People to enter the North parts of of England with Fire and Sword Edward drove them back with great slaughter entering Scotland and making such terrible Destruction that the Cities and Towns for the most part surrendred the Scotch Nobles sued for Peace and in the Parliament held at Berwick they acknowledged him their King swearing to be true Subjects to him for ever after sealing a solemn Instrument to that purpose whereupon King Edward leaving John de Warren Earl of Surry and Sussex as his Viceroy in that Kingdom sent John Baliol the late King Prisoner to the Tower of London and brought away with him the Crown Sceptre and Cloth of State burning their Records abrogating their Laws altering the Form of their Divine Service and transplanting their learned Men to Oxford He brought likewise the Marble Chair wherein the Kings of Scotland were wont to be crowned from the Abbey of Schone and sent it to Westminster upon which is written this prophetical Distich Ni fallat Fatum Scoti quocunque locatum Invenient Lapidem regnare tenetur ibidem Where'er this Stone the Scot shall placed find There shall he reign for there his Rule 's assign'd This was verified in King James the first upon the uniting the Kingdoms but more of that in his Reign King Edward going into France to recover such places as the French had taken in the latter end of his Father's Reign and refused to restore especially in Gascoign the Scots rebelled and under the leading of one William Wallis fell upon the English at an advantage near Striveling Bridge and put them to the rout killing amongst others Hugh de Cressingham the Treasurer and having flead him divided his Skin in parcels amongst them as a Trophie of their Revenge and committed many other outrages which hastened the King's Return at which time he summoned a Parliament at York giving the Scots a day to appear but they
and do great mischief especially in and about the City of London and had been greater but the Earl entered with his Army and put an end to those disorders and set King Henry at liberty who had been a Prisoner in the Tower for almost the space of Nine years conveying him to the King's Palace in great Triumph where on the 13th of October he was crowned again and went with the Crown on his head to St. Paul's Church the Earl of Warwick bearing up his Train and the Earl of Oxford carrying the Sword before him whilst the people cryed God save King Henry and a Parliament being called to sit at Westminster the 26th of November King Edward was declared a Traitor to his Country and a Usurper of the Crown his Goods and Lands were confiscated and his Adherents were attained The Earl of Worcester for his Cause lost his Head and all the Statutes made by Edward Revoked The Crowns of England and France were entailed to King Henry and his Heirs Male and for default of such Issue to George Duke of Clarence The Earl of Warwick to be Governour of the Land till it could be better settled Thus went the various change of Affairs in England 〈◊〉 the bloudy contest between the houses of York and Lancaster yet continued not the advancement of King Henry for King Edward holding Correspondency in England and gathering some Forces beyond the Seas landed at Ravenspur in Yorkshire where the better to insinuate with the People He at first pretended to come for his right as a private person but finding himself strong enough he siezed upon York and increasing in Power marched till â—he came near to the City of Warwick where his Brother the Duke of Clarence being reconciled to him by the means of a Maid-servant that had lived with the Old Dutches of York desiring the Earl to forsake King Henry's Cause and close with his Brother but that great Man more regarding his Engagement than Life or Interest sent him word that he had rather be an Earl and always like himself than a perjured Duke and that e'er his Oath should be falsified as the Dukes apparently was he would lay down his Life at his enemies Feet which he doubt not should be bought very dear whereupon King Edward hasted to London and was received by the Citizen no ways able to resist him when drawing out his Forces he marched against the Earl and his Accomplicies and on Easter day in the Morning Battel was joyned on Glad-more Heath near Barnet in which bloudy Conflict fortune at first seemed to favour VVarwick but by an unlucky mistake he lost the day for a great Mist falling the embroidered Stars upon the Coats of such as were commanded by the Earl of Oxford being taken for Suns which was King Edward's Cognizance VVarwick's Battallion charged by that Errour upon their Friends and they suspecting it done on purpose crying out Treason quitted the Field which the Earl perceiving and resolving not to out-live the loss of the day charged desperately into the King's Battel killing many with his own Hands but being cut off from the assistance of his own men he there was slain as likewise was his Brother the Lord Montacute in attempting to Rescue him on King Edward's Party dyed the Lords Cromwell Bourchier and Barns with Siâ— John Lisle and on both sides about 10000 of all sorts But thus ended not the Contests for the Crown for Queen Margaret in the right of her Husband and Son raised a strong Power Anno Domini 1471. and gave the King Battel at Tewxbury but Fortune now turned fatally averse to the Queen and her Family for losing the day with the death of John Lord Somerset John Courtney Earl of Devonshire Sir John Delues Sir Edward Hampden Sir Robert Whitingham Sir John Leukner and several others and a great many of lesser note The Queen in this rout fled and betook her self to a religious house for sanctuary but was takan thence and made close Prisoner young Prince Edward her Son was taken in his flight by Sir Richard Crofts who presented him to King Edward who having a while beheld him with a stern countenance demanded how he durst presume with Banners displayed to disturb his Kingdom to which the Prince replied that what he did was to recover his Father's Kingdoms and his most rightfull Inheritance But how dare you continued the Prince being but a Subject display your Colours against your Liege Lord Upon this resolute replie King Edward unworthily struck him on the Mouth with his Gantlet when Richard Duke of Gloucester basely taking the hint stabbed him and the Wound being seconded by some of the Servants the poor Prince fell dead at the King's feet Things being carried at an extraordinary highth Edmund Duke of Somerset the Prior of St. John's with divers Knights and Esquiers who had taken sanctuary were contrary to the Custome of those times taken thence by force and executed at Tewxbury and soon after Richard Duke of Gloucester the King's Brother stabbed the pious King Henry to the heart in the Tower of London and his body was exposed in a Coffin at St. Paul's to convince the People he was dead As for the Queen she continued several years a Prisoner but at length her Father mortgaged most of his Principalities to pay her Ransome and she thereupon was sent over Sea where in much sorrow and perplexity she languished â—ut the rest of her days and by this means the Lancastrians being utterly disabled to make head King Edward more assured in his Throne betook himself to his Pleasure and hearing of the Fame of Jane Shoar Wife to a Goldsmith in Gracechurch-street he sent for her and took her to his Bed upon which her Husband renounced her and for Grief and the Disgrace betook himself to travel beyond the Seas never returning into England He had likewise two other Concubines high in his esteem and being in the Year 1474. in France at an Interview with the French King Lewis told him that he would one day invite him to court the fair Ladies of Paris to which Offer Edward readily consented insomuch that the French King not being pleased with his forwardness whispering to Philip Comines his Bosome Friend told him that he repented of his Offer considering that there had been too many English Princes already at Paris so that the King returned without having any opportunity to prosecute such Amours Anno 1478. by the contrivance of Richard Duke of Gloucester George Duke of Clarence was accused of sundry Crimes and committed to the Tower where soon after he was smothered in a Butt of Malmsey Wine and 't is reported the King consented to so great a Wickedness upon a Prophecy That a G. should succeed an E. which however proved true though he mistook the Man for Richard Duke of Gloucester usurped the Throne and murthered his two Sons as will appear hereafter Two Acts yet more of this King's Cruelty are memorable viz. Going
one held in the Tower and the other in Bishopsgate-Street under pretence of preparing for the King's Coronation and the better to colour the matter Pageants were ordered to be made but the Protectour perceiving the Lords Hastings and Stanly to cross what he aimed at he resolved to remove those Obstacles in order to which coming in the morning to that Council in the Tower with a very pleasant countenance and excusing his lateness he went out again for a little space but then returned with a frowning and angry countenance and demanded what ought to be done to those that sought to compass his death who was of the Royal Bloud and so near allied to the Crown To which they agreed that they ought to be punished as heinous Traitours They are said the Protectour that Sorceress my Sister meaning the Queen and that Witch Shoar's Wife of her Council that have wasted my Body with their Sorceries anâ— Witchcraft and thereupon drawing up his slieve shewed his Arm which was wasted and wearish buâ— indeed had never been otherwise whereat the Lords stood mute as knowing it was only designed to quarrel with them till the Ld. Hastings presuming upon the friendship he had all along had with him and at that time keeping Jane Shoar as his Miss whom he thought to excuse said Certainty my Lord if they have so done they are worthy of punishment What replied the Protectour fiercely thou servesâ— me with If 's and And 's I tell thee they have done so and that I will make good upon thy Body Traitor Vpon me my Lord replied Hastings Yes upon thee Traitor replied the Protectour and thereupon gave a Blow with his Fist on the Table at which as the Signal one without cried Treason and immediately there rushed in a company of armed Men one of them letting fly with his Sword at the Lord Stanly and wounded him in the head nor had he failed to have cleft his Skull had he not nimbly shrunk under the Table Then the Protectour caused Hastings to be arrested bidding him speedily take a Priest and confess himself swearing by St. Paul he would not dine till he saw his Head off and it was no time for that Lord to reason the matter but taking a Priest at a venture after he was shriven his Head was struck off on a Log of Timber in the Tower and the sooner to save the Protector 's Oath who was in haste to go to dinner And thus dyed this man in the time of his greatest Security betrayed by a Servant of his whom he had too much relied on and trusted with his secrets To colour off the Murther of the Lord Hastings who fell without Process or Tryall the Lord Mayor and Aldermen were sent for to whom the Protector and Duke of Buckingham appeared in old rusty Armour declaring that their Lives being in such eminent danger by the Conspiracy of the Lord Hastings and others of which they had not been informed till ten in the Morning that in their defence they were forced to take what came first to hand requiring them so to report it to their fellow Citizens and an Instrument in Writing to the same purpose that had been drawn up before hand was Proclaimed by the Heraulds and to set some Gloss upon his Words he caused the Sheriffs of London to sieze upon all the Riches and Furniture of Jane Sheaâ—s House and commanded the Bishop of London to put her to open Pennance and accordingly she went barefoot in her Shift with a Rope about her middle and a Tapour in her hand through the Streets of London to Paul's Cross c. and further the Protector commanded under great Penalties that she should be turned into the Streets and none should relieve her yet several did it privately whose Lives and Estates she had saved by her Power and Interest with King Edward however she lived to an old Age not dying till the 20th year of the Reign of Henry the eight The Protector 's hand dipped again in Bloud he resolved not to stop but by a private Order sent to his Creature Sir Reheard Radeliff the Lords taken from the King at Stonystratford and Northampton were beheaded in Pontefract Castle And now the Protector concluding his passage open to the Throne no longer Masqued his Intention but gaining Edmund Shaw Lord Mayor of London to side with him many Clubs and Caballs were carried on by his Party and Dr. Shaw Brother to the Mayor Preaching a Sermon at St. Paul's Cross on the 19th of June declared to the people that there had been no lawfull Marriage between King Edward and his Queen and therefore the Children ought not to succeed to the Throne and that neither King Edward nor the Duke of Clarence his Brother were held by them that knew most of that Affair to be the lawfull Sons of Richard Duke of York but said he This Noble Prince meaning the Protectour who waâ— to have come in just at the time the Words were uttering he is his Fathers own Picture his very Features and his Countenance which remarkably declar'â— him to be the true Son of the great Duke of York yeâ— the Protector not coming at that time but somewhat late the Doctor turned back from the other Matter he was upon to the old Lesson repeating the very words again which rather made the Audi-Laugh than give heed to them and the Doctor afterward grew so ashamed of his flattery that finding himself every where reproached he not long after dyed for Grief This way not succeeding the Mayor was ordered to Summon the Citizens to meet at Guild-Hall where the Duke of Buckingham made several Orations to persuade them to reject the Line of King Edward and own the Protectour for their King but all he could obtain was only the Shouts of some Servants and Foot-boys who were ordered to be there for that purpose which the Duke laying hold of as the Consent of the People he told them it was a very goodly Cry and then whilst the Citizens stood amazed at his discourse he desired them to make their humble Petition to the Protectour that he would receive the Crown and take upon him the Kingly Government and accordingly the next day the Mayor Aldermen and some of the Commoners with abundance of Rabble at their Heels accompanied the Duke of Buckingham and some other Lords to Bainard's Castle where the Protector kept his Court and sending in their Message the Protector appeared in the Balcony as seeming to fear some danger of his person if he give them nearer access feigning an Ignorance of their coming and when Buckingham having first intreated his Graces Pardon and a License to acquaint him with the cause of their coming declared it was to beseech him to take the Crown and Government upon him he looked angry and dissembled an amazement at such a request protesting against it and was forced if you will believe it to be threatened into an acceptance of what he had so
10000 l and about 80000 of them took their Oaths to become his Liege Subjects making Sir Edward Poinings Governour and Thomas Wolsey his great Favourite Bishop of that City nor did this Success remain to the English in France alone but at the same time in England for the Scots invading England with a powerfull Army and having pierced as far as Northumberland the Earl of Surry gave them battel with a great overthrow in Folden Field where James their King one Archbishop 2 Bishops 2 Abbats 12 Earls 17 Lords a great number of Knights and Gentlemen and about 8000 common Soldiers slain and allmost all the rest taken prisoners This memorable Battel was fought on Septemb. 9. 1513. King Hen. victorious in France the French sought all Ways for an Accommodation and at last Pope Leo becoming Moderatour a Peace was concluded and soon after Lewis XII married Mary the King 's younger Sister at Albeville with great splendour yet he lived but 82 days after for being aged and infirm and over striving himself to pleasure a beautious lively young Lady it no doubt contributed to the hastening his End and upon his Death the Queen returning for England was privately married at Callais to Charles Bradon Duke of Suffolk her first Lover and from whom she had unwillingly parted to fall into the Arms of Majesty And now by the too free Access of Foreigners Trade greatly decreasing one John Lincoln and other aggrieved persons put up a Bill of Complaint and it was read by the Minister at the Spital Sermon This so animated the Rabble that getting together on May day 1517. they fell upon plundered and destroyed the Houses of the Strangers committing many Outrages on their Persons Nor was the Magistracy able to quell them for being all in an uproar the Lieutenant of the Tower who had no Good-Will for the City played the Great Guns upon it but the Rage of the Multitude spent they retired to their respective Habitations yet several were taken and tried of which number Lincoln and 13 more most of them youths were hanged in divers places of the City and about 200 Men and Boys and 9 Girls and Women went in their Shifts only being bare headed footed and legged and Ropes about their Necks to Westminster where at the upper end of the Hall the King sate and after he had sharply reproved them and they on their knees had begged Mercy Wolsey by the King's command pronounced their Pardon whereat with a joyfull Cry they threw up their Halters in token of deliverance from death and this day ever since is called Evil May day and soon after Tournay was restored to the French in consideration they paid the King 600000 Crowns in twelve years and the Dauphin to marry the Lady Mary King Henry's Daughter when she should be of sufficient years of Consent but if the Marriage took no effect then the City to be restored and Wolsey who by this time had bought him a Cardinal's Cap to have 1000 Marks a year for the profits of the Bishoprick and Wolsey having power with the King to doe all remembring a former Affront put upon by Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham he used his interest to the destruction of that great Peer who was beheaded on Tower-hill upon pretence of aspiring to the Crown In the Year 1521. the Emperour Charles V. in his way to Spain landed at Dover for Refreshment and at the King 's earnest Request came to London and was royally entertained with all the Magnificence and Splendour the Court abounded with at that time and King Henry having written a Book against Martin Luther and sent it to the Pope he in recompence to his Zeal for the Roman Church sent him the Stile of Defender of the Faith which has ever since remained to the Kings and Queens of England sending him likewise a Consecrated Rose The Peace between England and France by reason of misunderstandings growing to a Conclusion a Parliament was assembled at the King's Palace in Black-Fryers granting him half the yearly Revenues of all Spirituall Livings to be paid for five years and the tenth part of all Temporal Substance to carry on his Wars so that not staying to expect War he sent to meet it commanding the Duke of Suffolk to pass over with an Army who taking many Towns and Castles and every where worsting the French returned Victorious and the King banished the Scots out of England confiscating their Goods but upon the Mediation of his Sister a peace was concluded for a time yet there was Martial business abroad for the Irish rebelled and siezing upon the Earl of Kildare who bore the Kings Authority in that Kingdom they sent him bound to England with many Accusations against him for which he was committed to the Tower and Wolsey who hated him signed a Warrant for his Execution without the knowledge of the King whereupon the Lieutenant went to Court and the Trick being made known to the King Wolsey was severely checked and the Earl had the King's Sgnet sent him for his security About this time overtures being made by the Emperor's Ministers in consideration of Marriage with the Lady Mary the French having rejected the Match and some scruples arising about the Legality of her Birth as being born on a Queen that had been his Brother's Wife the King began to fall into a dislike of his Marriage and sent to Rome to sue out a Divorce but finding delays in that Cour◠he desired a Cardinal might be sent to hear the Cause and accordingly Cardinal Campius was sent whose Mules casting their Sumpters in Cheap-side the Cardinal's Treasure was discovered to consist o◠old Shooes broken Meat tatter'd Breaches and Rags which raised no small Laughter in the people This Cardinal sate with Wolsey and other Clergy men but when the King expected the issue of the Matter instead of giving the definitive Sentence he dissolved that Court and referred the Cause to the Pope which so incensed the King that he Commanded him to depart the Kingdom and sent Dr. Cranmer to Rome to justifie the proceedings to the Pope who with other learned Men bringing the Opinions of almost all the Universities of Europe under their Seals that it was not Lawfull to Marry 〈◊〉 Brother's Wife the Divorce was made yet the Queen lived in England till she dyed and King Henry proceeded to take to Wife Ann of Bullen a very beautifull Lady who to that end he had before made a Dutches and honoured with many favours but better she had been without them as by the sequel wi◠appear Cardinal Wolsey whose power was such tha◠he seemed to sway both King and Kingdom bega◠about this time to be lessened in esteem and shortly after for not only disliking but striving to cros◠the King's Proceedings in the Divorce and new Marriage had first the great Seal of England taken from him then several of his Bishopricks which he had ingrossed which begining of disgrace made him more liable to
two Ruffians sent at another time to kill her who were prevented by Beddingfield her Keepers being out of Town she at last escaped the ruine intended her In the year 1554. on the 16th of April a great Dispute was held between the Popish Doctors and Thomas Cranmer Arch Bishop of Canterbury Nicholas Ridly Bishop of London Hugh Lattimer Bishop of Durham and others of the Reformed Religion at Oxford about Transubstantiation and other Points wherein when the Papists found themselves baffled they told the Bishops though they had the word yet they had the Sword and indeed they used it with extream cruelty for these good Prelates were then Imprisoned and about a Year and six Months after were burnt for the sake of a good Conscience in Oxford Town-Ditch and now on the 25th of July Philip King of Spain arrived with a great Train of Nobility and the Marriage was solemnized and they proclaimed by the Titles of Philip and Mary King and Queen of England France Naples Jerusalem and Ireland Princes of Spain and Sicily Arch Dukes c. of Austria Dukes c. of Millain Burgundy and Brahant Counts c. of Haspurg Flanders and Tyrol and in November following the Queen was said to be with Child and upon the spreading this report she took her Chamber whereupon Midwives Rockers and Nurses were provided and the Priests in their Pulpits prayed for her safe Delivery assuring the people before hand it was a Prince and some where so vain to discribe it features the Parliament likewise resolved if the Queen Dyed King Philip should be Protector of the Realm and the Infant during the Minority and at last a false Rumour was given out that the Queen was actually delivered of a Prince whereupon the English Merchants at Antwerp and other Ports discharged their Guns and drunk Healths to their young Master but in conclusion it appeared the Queen was not nor never had been with Child yet it was conjectured by many that the Papists if King Philip had not protested against it had shamed a Child upon the Nation and soon after out of some dislike he left England and returned no more yet he taking part with the Emperour his Father against the French the Queen sent a Gallant Army under the Leading of the Earl of Pembroke to his Aid as he lay at the Siege of St. Qeintines by whose help the place was taken from the French whereupon the Duke of Guis with the greatest part of the French Army coming about by swift Marches unexpectedly laid Siege to Calais the only English Town in France and there being no Succours sent from England by reason of contrary Winds as if Heaven apparently declared it self against the breach of League the besieged few in number after they had done all that men were capable of doing in Defence of the place surrendered it upon advantageous Articles The loss of this place and the unkindness of King Philip cast the Queen into a deep Melancholly insomuch that she declared if she was opened when Dead they might find Calais written on her Heart and the Sweating Sickness coming on she fell desperately ill and dyed the 17th of November 1558 in her Reign were consumed in the Flames for the sake of a good Conscience five Bishops twelve Ministers 18 Gentlemen forty eight Artificers one hundred Husband-men Servants and Labourers twenty six Wives twenty Widows nine Virgins and two Infants the one Whipped to Death by Bonner's Chaplain for calling him Ball 's Priest and the other springing out of his Mothers Womb whilst she was in the Flames was notwithstanding cast into the Fire sixty more were Imprisoned and grievously persecuted seven of them Whipped and sixteen perished in Prison who being as Hereticks denyed Christian Burial were buried in Dunghills The Dutches of Suffolk and divers others were forced to flie beyond the Seas where they suffered extreme Misery and hardship nay so violent were the Priests who altogether swayed the Queens Inclinations that they intended to take up the Body of King Henry her Father and bury it in a Dunghill in revenge of the injurys he had done Mother Church in rooting out the Monks and Fryars but the Council opposed it and in process of of time almost all the Persecutors came to miserable Ends. This Mary was Queen of England France and Ireland Eldest Duaghter to Henry the Eighth by Catharine his Queen Daughter to Ferdinand the Seventh King of Spain She began her Reign on the 6th of July and Reigned five Years four Months and Eleven Days dying in the fortieth Year of her Age without Issue and was buried in Westminster being the 42. sole Monarch of England c. Thus Dy'd Romes Darling who a wonder stood In Cruelty and Feasting Flames with Bloud Made England groan beneath a Popish Yoak Yet Death at last the fatal Fetters broke The Reign and Actions of Elizabeth Queen of England c. QUeen Mary giving place by Death her Illustrious Sister Elizabeth after escaping many Eminent Dangers succeeded her in the Throne the Nobles owning her their rightfull Queen and doing her Homage so that on the 15th of January she was crowned by Dr. Oglethorp Bishop of Carlisle and soon after a Parliament was called in which the Title of Supreamacy was taken from the Pope and restored to the Crown with the tenths and first Fruits of Ecclesiastical Livings as also the Common Prayers as used in the Churches in the Reign of Edward the Sixth and such Acts as in Queen Marys time were made in favour of the Romanists were were repealed so that the Face of Religion was again restored and many pious men that had fled the Land returned and about this time a Petition was made to the Queen to Marry that her Royal Issue might succeed her but she absolutely refused to hearken to it saying That she held it sufficient that a Marble Stone should tell to Posterity that she a Quen had Reigned lived and dyed a Virgin The Pope by this time having Notice that England was rescued out of his Clutches set all his Engines on work to trouble the Reign of this great Queen which obliged her to enter into Confederacy with divers Protestant Princes of Germany and upon demanding Calais the French promised to deliver it to the English at the Expiration of eight years or to pay 500000 Crowns but it was never performed though sworn to and for the better Regulation of the Clergy in England Oaths were tendered whereupon divers refusing to own the Queens Supreamacy were turned out and learned Men who had been outed in Marys Reign put into their places she likewise called into her Mint Pase and Adulterated Coin and allowing so much as the true value she refined it and Coined that Mony that now goes Currant in her Stamp laying up Magazines and Stores of Warlik Provision and sent Aids into Franne to support the Protestants in Arms against the Papist but to divert her nearer home Shan O-Neal Rebelled in Ireland
laying claim to the Province of Vlster but great preparations being made against him he came over and submitted yet returning to his old Trade he was at length slain by one of his Companions who with his Head compounded for his own safetie c. and shortly after great Dissensions happened in Scotland where the Scots Mutiniers Murthered their King and the Queen the Heiress of Scotland and Mother to King James the First of England flying for France was driven on the Coast of England and made a Prisoner by order of Council and now the Pope impatient of delay by his Commissions and large Promises stirr'd up many as well Nobles as Plebeans to take Arms causing his Bulls to be dispersed the better to incense the people against the Queen however they were overthrown and an Alderman a Priest and about 66 Constables and others Executed at Durham and other places The Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland hereupon fled into Scotland but raising new Commotions they were again routed and Northumberland on the 22d of August 1570 beheaded at York where to the last he affirmed the Pope's Supreamacy and declared the Land to be in Schism according as the Pope had declared in his Bull or Curse against the Queen which had been privately fastened on the Gate of the Bishop of London's Palace and divers Priests conspiring themselves and stirring up others to raise Commotions were convicted and Executed at sundry times and places as Story Summevil Parry Campion Throckmorton Howard and others Anno 1577. the famous Captain Drake set sail from Plymouth and in 3 years wanting 12 days compassed the whole Earth making many wonderfull discoverys his Men being worshiped by the Barbarous Nations as Gods and at a place which he named Nova Albion the King surrendered him his Crown of Net-work and Feathers curiously wrought desiring him to take upon him the Government of the Country which he did to the behoof of the Queen setting up a Monument of her Sovereignty in those parts by the consent of King and People and much about the same time Sir Martin Forbisher tryed the North East Passage and named the furthest Land Queen Elizabeths Forelands and whilst this great Queen flourished in spite of Forreign and Clandestine Foes Francis de Valois Duke of Anjou and Brother to the French King made sute to her for Marriage and mistaking the Freedom she had taken for a consent came over to Wooe her in Person but after the Expence of much Treasure himself and his Sute were rejected and he returned no wiser than he came And now the King of Spain oppressing the States of the Neitherlands and labouring to settle the Inquisition amongst them the Queen upon their humble supplication sent over 1000 Horse and 5000 Foot under the Leading of Sir John Norris and for the Security of the Reimbursment of her Charges had the Towns of Brill and Flushing with two Sconces and a Castle put into her hands Anno 1587 The Priests raised new stirs in England and Ireland which hastened the Death of Mary Queen of Scots for that poor Princess weary of a tedious Imprisonment holding some Intelligence with one Babington and others in orders to make her escape was betrayed by her Secretary and being Sentenced as one that had designed to depose Queen Elizabeth and set up her self she was on the 7th of Feb. beheaded at Fotheringay Castle whose Execution proved afterward no small cause of discontent to our Queen All hopes by this means and other disappointments being lost to the Papists of bringing their Designs about by Clandestine ways the Pope stirred up the King of Spain to Invade the Kingdom giving it him as the Patrimony of St. Peter and promising him success whereupon he gathered his huge Armado which he named Invincible even whilst there was a Treaty of peace on Foot yet the Queen having notice from Henry the Third King of France what was intended against her prepared by Sea and Land to expect the Storm pitching her Camp at Tillbury in Essex consisting of 15000 Horse and 22000 Foot and for her own Guard out of the several Countys she drew 23520 Horsemen and 34500 Foot-men and in the remarkable year 1588 on the 20th of July the Spaniards with their huge Hulks which appeared on the Sea like floating Castles passed by Plymouth towards Calais to joyn the Duke of Parma Governour of the Neitherlands for the King of Spain but were dispersed with a mighty Tempest yet gathered again but were so beaten by the English under the command of the Lord Howard Admiral Sir Francis Drake and others that of 134. great Ships that Sail from Lisbon only 53 returned into Spain so that there were missing 81 Vessels 13000 Soldiers and Sea-men and there was hardly a Noble Family in Spain but lost a Brother or Kinsman in this Expedition which had cost the King of Spain Ten Millions For this great deliverance the Queen gave publick Thanks in St. Paul's Church and the Spanish Prisoners and Streamers were brought to London and the Queen resolving to be even with the Spaniard for this Treachery sent Sir Francis Drake and others into the West-Indies where they took many Spanish Towns and Ships with great store of Gold and Silver and after that she assisted Don Antonio the expulsed King of Portugal to recover his right whereupon they burnt Cadiz and the Shiping in the Harbour worth five Millions took several Towns in Portugal and marched to the very Gates of Lisbon against which the Earl of Essex breaking his Lance demanded the proudest Spaniard of them all to come and answer him They likewise sailed to the Azzores and took and plundered those Islands This made the Papists at home begin to stir for which Patrick Cullen Dr. Lopez a Spaniard and divers others hired to kill or poison the Queen were detected and executed and indeed the Plots and Contrivances of the like kind against this Queen are recorded to be very many nor did the Spaniards fail to send Forces to the Assistance of the Irish Rebells under Tyroen but they were defeated by the Lord Montjoy many of them killed and the rest obliged to beg leave to depart the Kingdom and Tyroen forsaken of his Followers was sent into England and Imprisoned in the Tower About this time the Earl of Essex who had been under disgrace for some Miscarriages when he was Deputy of Ireland and confined to his House being of a fiery temper and knowing his Enemies at Court were contriving his Ruine he sent for â—â—e Earl of Southampton and divers other Friends as resolving to force a Visit and confront them in the presence of the Queen but being strictly forbid it he confined the Counsellors that were sent to that purpose under a guard and marched into London but finding himself opposed and that there were none very forward to stand with him upon such an Undertaking he returned and fortified his House in the Strand but finding himself to weak to hold out
bring Which shows the frailness of each earthly thing The Reign of Henry the Second King of England c. HEnry Plantaginet commonly called Fitz Empress was three times Crowned first by Theobald Arch-bishop of Canterbury at Westminster then at Lincoln and lastly at Worcester and being setled in the Realm he demolished sundry Castles that had given too much incouragement to the falling off of such as at any time grew discontented some that had Honours unduly conferr'd on them he divested and reduced to a private State purged the Land of Forreign Soldiers and chiefly of the Flemings that had come over with King Stephen choosing his Council out of the most Worthy and Learned Men restraining the Incroachments and Oppressions of the greatest Persons without respect of their greatness which made the Lord Hugh Mortimer fall off and take up Arms against whom King Henry went in person and had been slain at the Siege of Bridgnorth had not Hubert d' St. Clare one of his Courtiers stepped between as the Arrow was coming and lost his own Life to save his Masters but this Lord soon reduced and the face of calmness appearing at home he passed into France to do Homage to King Lewis for his Provinces of Normandy Acquitain Anjou Main and Lorain which he claimed as his right 〈◊〉 in himself and partly in Eleanor his Queen and there he adjusted differences between himself and his Brother Geofry and after being highly Caressed and Entertained he returned to England where as much as in him lay intending to live peaceably he contracted an Alliance with Malcolme King of Scots restoring him the 〈◊〉 of Huntingdon The Welsh about this time making Inroads and greatly indamaging the English the King marched against them and joyned Battle but in the heat of the Fight his Standard was cowardly abandoned and his person in danger to be slain or taken Prisoner for which Henry d' Essex Standard bearer being accused by Robert d' Montford as the main cause of the dissertion the Combat as usual upon such Accusations was allowed them at Reading and Essex being overcome the King was notwithstanding contented to spare his life upon condition he became a Monk which accordingly he did and was immediately shorn but in conclusion the Welsh were subdued and the King returning in Triumph was Crowned together with Eleanor his Queen at Worcester where they both at the Offertory laid their Crowns on the high Altar vowing never to wear them after and this was the last of the three Crownings and his Brother Geofry now dead he seized upon sundry Citys and strong places in Normandy and setling his Affairs in that Province he returned to England where Becket Arch-bishop of Canterbury influenced by the Pope began to trouble the Kingdom not only at the Council Tours privately surrendring those Honours the King had heaped upon him to the Pope and from him receiving them again thereby to cast off the acknowledgements he had to the King or his Prerogative but countenanced all manner of violence in the Clergy even to murther so that the complaints of above a hundred Murthers done by the Clergy coming to the King's car and he not finding them punished by Church Censure brought some of them under the Civil Power commanding Justice to be administred without partiality as well to the Clergy as Laity to that end appointing Ministers of Justice in all parts of the Land whose charge it was to enquire into crimes of that or the like nature But this was opposed by Becket with a high hand challenging the King with invading the Rights of the Church demanding at the same time the Castle of Rochester and sundry other places as belonging to the See of Canterbury This made the King assemble all the Bishops in Convocation at Westminster Becket excepted where it was agreed That no Appeals should be made to Rome without the Kings Licence That no Arch-bishop or Bishops upon the Popes Summons should go out of the Land without the like leave That no Bishop should excommunicate any person holding of the King in chief or put any of his Officers under interdiction without the like Licence That Clerks criminals should if the King thought fit be tried before Secular Judges But although the King urged Becket to agree to them yet he absolutely refused it sending thereupon complaints to the Pope who for his profit and interest not desirous to break with England commanded Becket to yield to the King without any Salvo's or exception which not without much stomaching the matter he at last consented to on the word of a Priest and swore that he would observe the Laws which the King called Avitae as being made in the Reign of his Grandfather yet he refused afterwards to set his Seal saying What he had done was rather in some measure to pleasure the King than out of conscience For which and his continuing obstinate he was condemned to the confiscation of his Goods and the Bishop of Chichester in the name of the other Bishops disclaimed and for the afronting the King in his Palace with his Cross he was adjudged as a Traytor and perjured person and that he should as such be taken and imprisond which made him flee into Flanders where Pope Alexander and Lewis the French King openly declared for him which so far incensed King Henry that he banished his Kindred commanding his Sheriffs and other Officers to seize such as appealed to Rome as likewise the Kindred of those Clergy that were with Becket excluding him from being prayed for as Arch-bishop Becket being by this time in France excommunicated the Bishop of London and proceeded in the like nature with others so that there were scarce any found in the Kings Chappel to perform the Service This made him send to the Pope for Legates to absolve his Subjects and settle a peace in the Kingdom and although accordingly they were sent yet Becket standing off with much obstinacy nothing was effected wherefore as some Historians will have it to spite the Arch-bishop the more and the more firmly to establish the Kingdom he caused Roger Arch-bishop of York to Crown his Eldest Son Henry and at the Coronation Feast the King carried up and served at the Table the first Dish of Meat whereat the Arch-bishop whispering the young King said Rejoyce my fair Son for there is no Prince in the World that hath such a Servitor attending at his Table as you have this day To which the early raised Stripling replied Why wonder you at that my Lord seeing my Father knows he doth nothing that is unbeseeming him for as much as he is Royally born on one side but as for our self we are Royally born on both as having a King to our Father and a Queen to our Mother Upon which proud speech the old King told the Arch-bishop That he repented the too early advancement of the Boy And now by the mediation of Friends the old King and Becket were reconciled and all